What was the Feast of Firstfruits?
The Feast of Firstfruits was one of the Lord’s appointed feasts for the Israelites that God commanded them to observe each year. It was part of the larger Passover celebration and took place on the Sunday after Passover. Here is an overview of the biblical background and significance of this important feast:
The Feast of Firstfruits was instituted by God in Leviticus 23:9-14. It was to be celebrated each year on the day after the Sabbath following Passover. This meant it would always fall on a Sunday, the first day of the week. On this day, the Israelites were instructed to bring a sheaf or bundle of the first barley harvest to the priest as a wave offering to the Lord. This sheaf was called the “omer”. The priest would wave the omer before the Lord, symbolizing God’s provision of the harvest and expressing gratitude and dependence on Him.
The timing of Firstfruits held great meaning. It occurred on the first day of the week after Passover, mirroring Jesus’ own resurrection on the first day of the week following His crucifixion. Just as the first omer of barley was offered as the pledge of the entire barley harvest to come, Jesus’ resurrection represented the promise of our future resurrection. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Jesus is the “firstfruits” of God’s harvest of believers. His resurrection secures and guarantees the future resurrection of all who belong to Him.
In keeping with its place in the Passover season, the Feast of Firstfruits was closely tied to the themes of redemption and deliverance represented in the Passover. Passover commemorated God delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Part of that deliverance was being brought into the Promised Land, a rich and fertile land God had prepared for them, where they would enjoy the bounty of huge harvests they did not have to work for. The Feast of Firstfruits was a celebration of this provision, as the first baskets of barley were brought in. It acknowledged that the harvest to come was from the Lord.
The offering of firstfruits had deeper meaning as well. Giving God the first and best portion of the harvest was an act of dedication to Him and expression of trust in His ongoing provision. Just as Abel gave the firstborn of his flock to the Lord (Genesis 4:4), bringing the firstfruits of the harvest was essentially dedicating the whole harvest to the Lord and recognizing everything belonged to and came from Him.
In summary, the Feast of Firstfruits:
– Fell on the Sunday after Passover, on the first day of the week
– Involved waved offerings of the first portion of the spring barley harvest
– Celebrated God’s deliverance and provision of harvests in the Promised Land
– Symbolized Jesus’ resurrection as the firstfruits of the resurrection harvest of believers
– Expressed gratitude, trust, and dependence on God’s provision
– Dedicated the whole harvest and acknowledged God as the ultimate Provider
The Feast of Firstfruits truly encompassed the abundance of meaning found in the biblical harvest themes of God’s deliverance, miraculous provision, and the promise of new life and resurrection. For New Testament believers, these all point to Christ and find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus and the salvation He offers. Just as the omer of grain was waved before the Lord, Jesus is the firstfruits of the resurrection, paving the way for our future resurrection with Him. And just as the firstfruits offering consecrated the entire harvest, Jesus’ sacrifice sanctifies all those who put their faith in Him. What a beautiful picture of God’s redemption plan!
The Specific Details of the Feast of Firstfruits
While Firstfruits was one of the simpler biblical feasts in terms of specific rituals, God still gave some guidelines for properly observing this holy occasion. Here are some details for how Firstfruits was to be celebrated:
– It always fell on a Sunday, the day after the Sabbath during Passover week.
– The people were not to eat any bread, parched grain, or fresh grain until the offering was brought on Firstfruits day (Leviticus 23:14). This added an element of anticipation and excitement.
– The firstfruits offering involved bringing a sheaf, or omer, of barley from the very early spring harvest. An omer was a measure that amounted to about 2 liters.
– They were to bring this bundled barley sheaf to the priest at the temple.
– The priest would then take the sheaf and wave it before the Lord. This was a symbolic act dedicating the entire harvest to God.
– Accompanying offerings included a male lamb, a grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and a drink offering (Leviticus 23:12-13).
– After the ceremony, the people could begin eating from the new spring barley harvest.
– Leaven was forbidden during the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. But leaven was permitted again starting on Firstfruits, possibly symbolic of corruption being removed by Jesus’ sacrifice.
– Firstfruits began the 50 day countdown to the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. Pentecost marked the wheat harvest and the giving of the Law.
So while potentially simple compared to other feasts, Firstfruits still involved specific directions from God – when it was to be observed, how, with what offerings, and the significance behind each element. Following these guidelines carefully showed reverence for God and recognition of the importance of this feast.
Firstfruits in the New Testament
The Feast of Firstfruits is not mentioned much explicitly in the New Testament. But its themes and typology show up in significant ways connected to Jesus’ death and resurrection:
– As mentioned, Jesus is called the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). His resurrection guarantees ours.
– In 1 Corinthians 15:23, Jesus is the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to Him will be resurrected at His coming.
– James 1:18 refers to believers as “a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” Believers are the firstfruits of God’s redeemed people.
– Romans 8 talks about the resurrection and glorification of believers using harvest imagery that mirrors Firstfruits.
– In Revelation 14, the 144,000 on Mt. Zion may represent firstfruits based on their connection to Passover themes.
– Some speculate that Jesus may have been resurrected on the actual Feast of Firstfruits. The timing fits, though the Bible does not specify the date explicitly.
So while the Feast of Firstfruits itself is not discussed in depth in the New Testament, its imagery clearly connects to Jesus as the firstfruits of the resurrection and the believer’s hope of resurrection in Him. The themes of new life, yielding a harvest for God, and guarantee of provision continue in the New Testament, with Jesus at the center.
Jewish Traditions Surrounding Firstfruits
As with other biblical feasts, Jewish traditions have developed around Firstfruits that go beyond the biblical commands and expand on the imagery and significance of the feast. These extra rituals provide insight into how God’s people have celebrated and found meaning in Firstfruits throughout history. Some traditions associated with Firstfruits include:
– In synagogues, children march around the sanctuary with baskets of flowers representing fruits. This celebrates God’s abundance.
– Firstfruits is associated with the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai, which Jewish tradition says occurred 50 days after Passover. Firstfruits start the count to Shavuot, or Pentecost, and the giving of the law.
– Modern synagogues sometimes decorate with plants and trees to represent new life from God.
– Special readings focus on agricultural themes, harvests, and meditating on God’s provision. Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones is one reading that connects resurrection to Firstfruits.
– In some traditions, on the eve of Firstfruits, people stay up all night in the synagogue to read, pray, sing and study. This shows devotion and anticipation.
– Some even observe an ancient custom of reenacting the Temple ceremonies for Firstfruits. People dress up as priests and enact the rituals.
– Traditional foods include eating dairy, cheese, bread, and roasted grains or barley. This celebrates God’s provision from agricultural blessings.
– In Israel, there are festivals in agricultural communities involving lots of fruit, singing, dancing, and expressions of gratitude to God.
These traditions, prayers, ceremonies, foods, and celebrations all creatively connect to the themes of Firstfruits – God’s miraculous provision, giving God the first and best, resurrection, and hope in new life. They show this holy day is still meaningful and important to Jewish believers.
Firstfruits Throughout the Bible
Firstfruits was significant beyond just the spring feast God instituted. The concept of firstfruits shows up all throughout Scripture:
– In Genesis, Abel offered the firstborn of his flock as a sacrifice to God, which God approved of (Genesis 4:2-4). Cain’s offering was not the firstfruits and was rejected.
– Exodus 23:16, 19 and 34:26 mention firstfruits offerings in the context of general offerings and Sabbath guidelines.
– Exodus 22:29 warns against delay in offering the firstfruits. It was to be done promptly out of devotion to God.
– Deuteronomy 18 and 26 give instructions for the priest receiving the firstfruits. It was a joyous ceremonial occasion.
– 2 Chronicles 31 describes the bringing of firstfruits offerings and tithes by the people “with a full heart” under King Hezekiah’s reforms.
– Nehemiah 10:35-39 records the people taking vows and commitments to properly observe the firstfruits and tithes.
– Proverbs 3:9 encourages giving God the firstfruits generally as an act of honor.
– Jeremiah 2:3 warns about Israel losing blessing after failing to hold God as holy and bring Him firstfruits.
So references to firstfruits in Scripture emphasize God’s supreme worth and the importance of putting Him first with the best that we have. Beyond just the Feast of Firstfruits, the principle applied broadly to all areas of the lives of God’s people.
Putting God First
This wide Scriptural emphasis on firstfruits teaches an important truth – God wants us to put Him first in every part of life. He alone is worthy of occupying the primary place. While thanking God for spring harvests once a year at the Feast of Firstfruits was important, the heart behind the ritual is what matters most – a heart that diligently seeks God and desires Him to receive the highest honor. As Jesus said, we are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).
God blessed the Israelites abundantly, rescuing them from Egypt and literally bringing them into a land of milk and honey and satisfied their every physical need. Yet, over time they took for granted God’s provision and no longer honored Him as they ought. The tragic result was exile and loss of the blessing they had known. In the New Testament, believers in Christ have been given the infinitely greater blessings of salvation, redemption, and new life in Him. How much more then should God’s amazing spiritual provision motivate us to honor Him as first in everything?
The Feast of Firstfruits reminds us to reflect on God’s goodness and to respond with the appropriate gratitude, worship, and obedience. It calls for thoughtful examination – are we putting God first? Laying down our lives in full surrender to His lordship? Making sure He receives the very best of our time, resources, and abilities? This is the calling of every New Testament believer. May we honor the heart of this special feast by prioritizing our relationship with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit working within us each day.