Firstfruits
Read This Week: Leviticus 23
The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. “‘There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord.” – Leviticus 23:1-3 NIV
Leviticus 23 is an excellent example of God’s appointed times for reflection, meditation, and connection with Him. These were the moments when Israel was called to pause, remember, and realign with the Lord. The feasts carried not only historical and agricultural meaning, but also spiritual significance that is relevant to our lives today. Among these, the Feast of Firstfruits stands out as a striking reminder of gratitude, trust, and forward-looking faith.
In chapter 23, verses 9-14, God commands the Israelites that when they enter the Promised Land and reap their first harvest, they must bring a bundle of the first grain to the priest. This offering was presented before the Lord as a symbol of dedication and thanksgiving to Him. The people were not to eat from their crops until this act of worship was done. Practically, this was Israel’s way of acknowledging that God is the true source of provision. The land may be fertile, but it was the Lord who blessed it. Therefore, the first things belong to God. Before enjoying the fruit of their labor, the people honored Yahweh, the best and earliest part. This shows us that trust precedes abundance. By offering the first, the Israelites demonstrated confidence that more would follow from God’s goodness.
But the Feast of Firstfruits pointed to something greater: the resurrection. In the New Testament, Paul refers to Christ as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20). Just as the first offering represented the promise of a full harvest, Jesus’ resurrection guarantees the coming resurrection of all who belong to Him. This truth connects Leviticus 23 directly to the gospel. Christ is our Firstfruits. His rising is both proof and preview of the future harvest, our eternal life with Him. Our very lives are offerings, and just as Israel offered their first grain, we as believers today are called to give God the first and best of ourselves—our time, energy, resources, talents.
Whether it’s our finances, time, or decisions, offering the first portion reminds us that everything comes from Him. For example, starting the day with prayer and God’s word or setting aside the first portion of our income as generosity are modern expressions of this biblical principle. Likewise, the Israelites were not to eat until the offering was made, and this translates to pausing in thankfulness before rushing into the blessings of life. Gratitude turns routine provision into sacred recognition.
Giving firstfruits requires faith. It’s not giving from the leftovers like we learned about last week, but from the very start, before knowing what the full harvest will be. In times of uncertainty, this trust reshapes how we face the unknown and learn to have a trusting faith. Every time we honor God with our firsts, we are also cultivating hope. It is the hope of Christ and the power of His resurrection. It is the guarantee of a greater harvest to come. Living with this perspective anchors us in joy even amid life’s struggles.
Ultimately, giving our firstfruits means living in a rhythm of gratitude, trust, and hope. As we learn to give God our first and best —our first thoughts in the morning, our first share of resources, and our first response in trials —we align ourselves with a more profound truth: that He is both the Lord of the harvest and the promise of a greater harvest yet to come.
Leviticus Chapter 23 Verse 42
You shall dwell in booths (shelters) for 7 days; All native Israelites shall dwell in booths.
Leviticus Chapter 23 Verse 43
That your generations may know that I made the Israelites dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
~Gods Pilgrimage~
God Is Saying To Me:
The feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths requires My people to come together to celebrate the 40 years of their deliverance from Egypt. My people built temporary booths and shelters to stay in, leaving behind the luxuries of the permanent dwelling. In doing so, this act reminds my chosen ones to never forget where they came from (their history) and to never forget My faithfulness, provision and protection. This is a yearly celebration of rejoicing of their deliverance from Egypt in a yearly opportunity to communally worship and celebrate the covenant I made with them.
What This Means To Me:
It’s important to remember where I came from in my journey with God. God is worthy of celebration together with like-minded people to honor and worship Him for all that he has done for me. God rescued me and set me apart as his own and wants me honor and glorify Him because he is the one that blesses and provides all that I have, as long as I choose Him to walk through this temporary home that I live in. May this pilgrimage bear fruit that only God can give and nurture while waiting on my eternal home. God’s journey with me calls me to a greater responsibility to understand the spiritual significance of pursuing a life with Him.
Father God Also Gifted Me This Additional Insight:
Leviticus Chapter 23 Verse 1-2
The Lord said to Moses, say to the Israelites, The set feast or appointed seasons of the Lord which you shall proclaim as holy convocations, even my set feast, are these:
~It’s A Joyful Celebration~
God Is Saying To Me:
My child, it’s important to honor My Commandments, observe My divine appointments, and show kindness to the less fortunate. In doing so, I revere God, foster a sense of unity and share my identity among other believers.
What This Means To Me:
The Feast of the Lord are sacred assemblies. These feasts are not human traditions. They are appointed times for worship and remembrance of God. God wants me to honor the Sabbath, understanding the importance of rest and worship so that I understand the weekly activities and can set the tone for My divine appointments and worship. This will be my time of reflection and worship. The other days, God wants me to celebrate my deliverance from sin and give God the honor and glory that He deserves. Father God wants my firstfruits, my time, talent and resources. He deserves the very best because He provides and blesses me. May I always rest spiritually in Christ, never forgetting the Lamb of God that took my sin away. May I always celebrate and glorify Christ’s Resurrection, abide by the prompting and the stirring of the Holy Spirit and wait eagerly for Christ return. Faithfulness and repentance help me to gain a deeper appreciation of Father God’s divine appointments, their fulfillment in Him, leading my life of gratitude, worship, rest and eager anticipation of Christ’s return! ❤️❤️❤️
Leviticus 23 – Father God Loves to Celebrate with us
Imagine God as a loving Dad planning a family calendar. In verse 2 He calls these “appointed seasons”—holy moments to pause, gather, and remember His goodness. These weren’t random dates; they were intentional, like a father setting aside time for family dinners, picnics, or heart-to-heart talks.
The Sabbath, Passover, and all the feasts listed here are His way of saying, “I want to be with you.” Each one was a rhythm of rest and celebration, reminders of His faithfulness in the past and His promises for the future. Every season carried His heart: “Don’t forget, I’m the One who rescued you, provided for you, and walked with you through the wilderness.”
As His children, we’re invited into these sacred times not just to receive from Him but to respond with grateful hearts. It’s not about ritual, it’s about relationship.
Father God delights when His people come together in His presence, remembering and rejoicing in who He is.
And for us today, the call is the same. Father God is still saying, “Make room for Me in your days. I love to be apart of everything you do, I love it when you put me first I love it that you know who you are my children I love it when you Pause to remember. Gather to worship. When you take time to worship me when you’re alone when it’s just Me and you!
I love it when you Celebrate My goodness in your homes, when you gather at church times , in your conversations especially in your hearts.”
So the question comes to us tenderly: Are we making time for our Father’s sacred moments? Are we showing up for the feasts and celebrating with Father God in everything and through everything we do?
Father God,
Thank You so much for loving us enough to plan holy moments with us. Please help us to remember all you do for us, it’s important to remember how much you Love us, bless us m, provide for us and help us through everything!
Thank You that You are not distant, but You call us to gather, to pause, to celebrate Your faithfulness Your Love.
Lord, please help us when we rush past those sacred invitations not to do that !
I pray that everyone would have an open heart to want You to Teach us to stop and enter into the seasons You set aside with our whole hearts! It’s a blessing that that You think about us all the time! Wow what a blessing
We want our lives to be more than busy schedules — we want them to be family time with You.
Help us to carry Your presence into our homes, our conversations everywhere we go
and our celebrations. Let every feast of the heart remind us that You are with us, You are for us, and You delight in Your children. Thank you so much!
Today we say yes. Yes to Your appointed seasons, Devine appointments yes to Your presence, yes to making room for You in everything we do and say
And in our thoughts really in our hearts
We honor Your holy name, and we want to choose to live as a people who remember, rejoice, and respond to Your love.
In Jesus’ mighty name, amen. ✨
Let me ask you a question this morning—does anyone here like to get together and have a feast, a celebration, a party with family and friends? Do you enjoy that? I know I do. There’s something special about gathering to celebrate life together. And I’ve found it becomes even more meaningful when God is at the center of our celebrations.
The truth is, the best gatherings I’ve ever been part of weren’t just about food or fun—they were about worship, fellowship, laughter, and sharing life with God’s people. When we eat, sing, pray, and talk about the Lord together, it’s a blessing that fills us in ways nothing else can. Those celebrations remind us that life is richer, fuller, and more fulfilling when we gather with the Lord and with each other.
1. It’s a blessing to celebrate.
Gathering with family and friends to share food, conversation, and joy is one of God’s gifts that makes life full and meaningful.
2. It’s even better with the Lord.
When our celebrations include God and God’s people, they move beyond fun into fellowship—filled with worship, encouragement, and spiritual joy.
3. Not all celebrations are the same.
The world offers many kinds of parties, but God calls us to feasts that have true meaning—celebrating His appointed times, His goodness, and the life He gives. We also celebrate the lives of our loved ones—through birthdays, baptisms, weddings, and even celebrations of life when someone passes. These moments remind us that God’s design is for us to rejoice both in Him and in the people He has placed in our lives.
Leviticus 23 verse 2
I have a poem.
God set apart His sacred days, times of worship, times of praise, holy moments, his feasts declare, a call to gather, a call to care.
What this means to me.
To pause in life and to set aside time for God. And to always make time in your daily life to worship and fellowship with God. To always make God first. Every day can be a holy moment when we stop to seek God‘s presence.
I have a song in Leviticus chapter 23
Holy
Holy, holy, holy merciful and mighty, holy, holy, holy merciful and mighty oh Lord, this is the day you made for us. This is the day you made for us. We lift our hearts to you, Lord lift our hearts to you. We want to separate ourselves from the world‘s way, commit our lives to your ways walking in truth, love hope our faith and joy, being servants bringing others know you bringing others to know you when we believe our life changes yes changes for the good holy holy holy we praise you, our Lord amen
Our Lord wants us to believe in him with all our hearts and souls reading his word and honoring him through all things. Amen.
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Leviticus 23
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and then the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250921-worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250921-message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250921-worship2.wav
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