Introduction
The Feast of First Fruits is described in Leviticus 23:9-14. This took place the day following the start of the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread on 17 Nisan. When the wheat and barley were ready to be harvested the farmer would bring a sheaf to the priest. The priest would literally wave this sheaf before the Lord in the Tabernacle or Temple.
The literal meaning of the feast
The Hebrew word for 'sheaf' is omer, which in turn means 'a dry measure.' The feast itself was an agricultural harvest festival. At the end of the year there would be the fruit harvest (Feast of Tabernacles). The sheaf of wheat or barley represented the very first gleanings of the first fruits of the earth. It taught the Jews that they were to put God first in every aspect of their lives. What was offered would have to be the absolute best. An 'omer' is a tenth of an Ephah, which highlights the idea of the tithe. The firstborn of man and beast were presented to Him (Exodus 13:2; 22:29).
Important facts concerning this feast
The main spiritual theme of First Fruits is Resurrection. It is interesting that important events took place on this day in Biblical history:
a) Noah's Ark landed on Mt. Ararat (Genesis 8:4).
b) The Jews crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 3:18).
c) Israel ate the first fruits in the Promised Land (Joshua 5:10 12).
d) Haman's plot to kill all the Jews was foiled (Esther).
e) Jesus Christ rose from the dead (John 12:24).
The spiritual meaning of the feast
The Feast of First Fruits finds its fulfilment in the Lord Jesus Christ:
a) He is the first-begotten of the Father (Hebrews 1:6).
b) He is the first born of Mary (Matthew 1:23-25).
c) He is the firstborn of every creature (Colossians 1:17).The Feast of First Fruits Introduction The Feast of First Fruits is described in Leviticus 23
d) He is the first-begotten of the dead (Revelation 1:5, Acts 26:23).
e) He is the firstborn of many brethren (Romans 8:29).
f) He is the first fruits of those to be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:20-23; Matthew 27:52-53; Ephesians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
g) He is pre-eminent (Colossians 1:18).
h) The early church were a kind of first fruits (James 1:17-18).
There are other spiritual aspects to this feast that are worth consideration:
The sheaf represents persons who have submitted themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. It is these that He will bring with Him at His Second Coming (Zechariah 14:4). During the tribulation period the 144,000 witnesses are also spoken of as first fruits unto God (Revelation 14:1-4).