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Feasts of the Lord
From a New Testament Perspective
Sheaf of Firstfruits
Read Leviticus 23:9-14.
It was the beginning of the barley harvest. Before there was any general harvest, however, one sheaf was garnered and waved before the Lord on the day after the Sabbath, reminding Israel of the fact that soon a great harvest was to be gathered in.
No bread or roasted grain was allowed to be eaten until this sheaf was presented to the Lord. It was also presented with specified offerings.
Christ, the Firstfruits
The Sheaf of Firstfruits is typical and prophetic of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and his Ascension to the Father, as the "firstfruits" of the coming resurrection of all the saints.
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep ... Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him" 1 Corinthians 15:20-23.
The Ceremony
Bring a Sheaf (v.10)
This one sheaf represents the Lord Jesus Christ (note: Joseph, the type of the rejected beloved Son, dreams of the eleven sheaves bowing to his one sheaf - Genesis 37:5-11).
Of the Firstfruits (v.10)
The firstfruits were always the choicest and the best. They were most holy to the Lord, sanctified, and presented always to God first.
"And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy" Colossians 1:18.
Of Your Harvest (v.10)
The one sheaf was representative of the whole harvest.
"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers" Romans 8:29.
Just as the one ripe sheaf testified to Israel that a great harvest was soon to be reaped, so did the resurrection of Christ testify to the fact that soon after there would be a great spiritual harvest of souls.
Wave Sheaf before Lord (v.11)
This was picturing Christ's resurrection, ascension and presentation in the Father's House (Exodus 23:19; John 20:11-17). When the priest, on the day of Christ's resurrection, waved the sheaf of firstfruits in the temple it was before a rent veil and was but an antiquated form. The empty tomb proclaimed that the great Firstfruit Sheaf had been reaped and waved in the Heavenly Temple.
To be Accepted for You (V.11)
As the sheaf was accepted before Jehovah for Israel, and Israel was accepted of Jehovah in that sheaf; so Christ is accepted before God for us, and we are accepted of God in Christ.
"...to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved" Ephesians 1:6 (NKJV).
Day after the Sabbath (v.11)
This was prophetic of Christ's resurrection on the first day of the week ... the day after the Sabbath.
"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!'" Luke 24:1-5 (Mark 16:1-6; Matthew 28:1-6; John 20: 1-9).
Offerings Presented with the Sheaf
A Lamb Without Blemish (v.12)
Christ, the burnt offering ......... His death.
Grain and Drink Offering (v.13)
His Body and His Blood ... Luke 22:14-20.
No bread, or roasted or new grain was to be eaten until after the sheaf was presented to the Lord (v.14). We enjoy the full benefits of His finished work and sacrifice after His resurrection and ascension to be seated at the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:17-2:10; Mark 16:19-20).
The Week of the Crucifixion
"For as Jonah was three days and
three nights in the belly
of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three
nights in the heart of the earth" Matthew 12:40
Evening to Evening
| Sunday | 10th..... | Lamb taken........................................... | Jesus enters Jerusalem |  |
| Monday | 11th..... | and | ||
| Tuesday | 12th..... | kept | ||
| Wednesday | 13th..... | four days | ||
| Thursday | 14th..... | Lamb
slain...................................................... Jesus dies 3:00 p.m. (Mark 15:33-37) "Day of Preparation" (Luke 23:52-54; John 19:31) |
Crucifixion 1st day 1st night |
|
| Friday | 15th.... | Feast of Unleavened Bread Holy Convocation, Sabbath, "High Day" (Luke 23:52-54; John 19:31) |
2nd day 2nd night |
|
| Saturday | 16th.... | Weekly Sabbath | 3rd day 3rd night |
|
| Sunday | 17th.... | 1st day of the
week.......................................... Sheaf waved on the day after the Sabbath (Mark 8:31) |
Resurrection Around the time of dawn on Sunday ... the first day of the week. (John 20:1) |
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