Leviticus 23:9-22 GIVE TO GOD FIRST Physical labor is a privilege given by God so that as a result of a man's effort the ground will release its bounty for our use. A seed is planted in prepared ground, and hundreds of seeds are gathered as God uses the multiplying principle from the life of one seed. The children of Israel would not forget how their lives were maintained, there was a special holiday designated by God. This would be the day after the Sabbath on the first day of the week during the week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The barley was ripe in the fields and traditionally a group of leaders would go with a large company of observers to cut down some of the grain and take the sheaves of barley to wave before the Lord and present a grain (gift) offering. That was to be a reminder to them of God's provision, and to us of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on the first day of the week. He is the "first fruits of resurrection." He was raised from among the dead as distinct from being raised at the "resurrection of the dead." This was something new to the disciples who believed in the doctrine of the resurrection as did most of the Jews. Now we understand that those "in Christ" will be raised first from among the dead at the rapture of the church even as our Lord was.
At the feast of first fruits the sheaf of barley was first given to the Lord who provided the harvest for them out of His abundance. A burnt offering of worship and praise, and a grain offering was presented to the Lord first. Then all across the nation the barley harvest could begin and the sound of joy from the reapers would mix with the sound of hope the planters made as they had moved previously across the fields. When the Lord Jesus was raised from among the dead, there was joy and wonder as those who saw Him, heard Him speak and were with Him realized that "death cannot keep it prey." When a "corn of wheat" goes into the ground and dies, there is abundant life comes from that death. The power of God releases the life He has contained in such a little space, and from that, much blessing comes to us.
It is no wonder the Feast of First Fruits was a designated day to remind the children of Israel of the blessing of life out of death. The first day of the week we too remember that we have received life out of the death of Christ. "Because He lives, we shall live also." What a blessing! There was no leaven in that grain offering because "in Him is no sin." The day the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead was the day the Feast of First Fruits was kept. The Passover speaking of redemption; the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days speaks to us of righteousness and purity; and now the feast of First Fruits speaks to us of resurrection - all began the spring holiday season pointing them, and us, to the blessings that come to us from the gracious provision of the Lord. Well might we heed the charge to "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
Fifty days later on the first day of the week, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) was held. This marked the time of the finish of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest. The people of Israel would be very glad for the barley harvest. Now they would be able to publicly express their appreciation to God for the harvest of wheat that was about to begin. This is a type of the blessings that we have as the people of God, gathered by the Holy Spirit and linked with Christ as those who are "in Him." The death, burial and resurrection has been accomplished. We have been "crucified with Christ," nevertheless we live a new life in Him. The Church is the Body of Christ and although we are still in the flesh, and are prone to sin at times (there was leaven in the two loaves that were offered), yet this does not keep us from being assured we are "accepted in the Beloved." We are able to stand before God in the value of the blood of Christ that was shed for us; in the virtue of His accomplished work and because of His sinless perfection. This Feast of Weeks, or Feast of Pentecost, marked the end of one season of holy days. It also marked the end of one harvest and the beginning of another that is type still going on today.
Even though we are a "new creation in Christ Jesus," with gifts given by the Holy Spirit and our standing in Christ is secure, still there is the problem of evil within us. The leaven in the bread reminds us of that fact. Seven lambs "without blemish" were brought there along with the bull and two rams. One goat was for a sin- offering because of the leaven. Two lambs were for peace offerings so communion with God could be enjoyed. Then all the burnt offerings went up as a sweet savor of Christ to God. The coming of the Holy Spirit and His indwelling in the believer, does not remove sin. He does give us power to know when we sin, what we need to do about sin, and the power to deal with sin. Spiritual power does not remove the fact of a sinful nature that is prone to sin, but the blood of Christ has atoned for sin. In God's eyes of legal justice, the problem of sin has been dealt with.
The grain left on the edges and corners of the fields does not mean that only a few Gentiles will be brought in during this harvest time of the age of grace. It was a practical way of providing welfare for the poor and those who had no place of their own to get food from. There may be a glimmer of a type in that those around us are sanctified by those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Why can't we start harvesting today, father, the grain looks good and ready." The voice of the young makes inquiry because the seeds are full and plenty. But the one who has labored hard to plant the seed knows only God gives the increase. And the first of all belongs to God who only can make bountiful fields like these.
We are privileged to labor; it is God who puts life in the ground. We can dig deep to prepare for the seed, it is in God where life is found. We can carry the water to nurture, God sends the sunshine and the heat. We can only do a little, it is God who gives the harvest to reap.
To bring to God the first and the best is only reasonable to assume. Any less would be insulting, and on God's grace for us to presume. He is the One who gives life, it is our privilege to give Him what is His.
He has the keys of all life and can use them as He will please.
New life has come to us from Him, He who died is really alive. From His fullness we receive, by His grace alone our spirits thrive. The joy of a full harvest that brings such blessings to man - Come from the bountiful hands of God who gives what His wisdom plans.
In this great Body of saints, there is evil, of that there is no doubt. That sin will remain in the Church, until in the air we hear His shout. But there is through the saints given blessings that are felt all over the earth. And when the harvest is finished, we will realize what our labor was worth. "Father, sometimes it seems to me like I am laboring in vain until I stop to consider it is not how much I do that counts, but who it is for. Help me to labor today for Thee, not for what I think are important results. Be glorified, I pray, in the efforts though feeble, that are done for Thee alone. Amen."