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Programs
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The Historical Background "From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord. From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of a fine flour, baked with yeast, as a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord. Present with this bread seven male lambs, each a year old and without defect, one young bull and two rams. They will be a burnt offering to the Lord, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings—an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. Then sacrifice one male goat for a sin offering and two lambs, each a year old, for a fellowship offering. The priest is to wave the two lambs before the Lord as a wave offering, together with the bread of the firstfruits. They are a sacred offering to the Lord for the priest. On that same day you are to proclaim a sacred assembly and do no regular work. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live" (Leviticus 23:15–21). The significance of this holy day, like most other biblical festivals, can be largely understood by its name. In this passage the holy day is called Bikkurim (First Fruits), because it is a day of bringing first fruits as an offering to God. From the context of the last chapter, on Sfirat Haomer, we know that this name refers to the latter fruits of the spring harvest. Previously, the early first fruits (barley) were brought in and waved before the Lord. Fifty days later, the latter first fruits (wheat) were offered to the Lord. First Fruits is one of the shelosh regalim, the three festivals for which every Jewish male goes to Jerusalem if possible (Deuteronomy 16:16). First Fruits is included in this exclusive list. It is prophetically significant in God’s plan for his people. This holy day is better known by two other names. Jewish people know it as Shavuot (Weeks) because it occurs seven weeks after a specific event (Deuteronomy 16:10). Greek-speaking Jews and many non-Jewish Christians called this day “Pentecost” (fiftieth) because it occurs fifty days after the given day (Leviticus 23:16). Shavuot is designated as a time of thanksgiving for the early harvest. God’s faithfulness in providing the early wheat harvest increases hopefulness for an abundant fall harvest (Sukkot). Giving thanks for present provision leads to faith for future addition. What a wonderful God we have! He provides all our needs through his riches in glory in Messiah (Philippians 4:19)! The materials here were taken directly from God's Appointed Times with the publisher's permission. Return to Shavuot |
