The mystery of Pentecost: firstfruits of spiritual harvest

Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread…and the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field… (Exodus 23:15–16 KJV)

Today is Day 2 of Deshen Daily miniseries on the feasts of Pentecost. God has hidden the mysteries of His plan for the whole world and His Church in the history of Israel, including the Tabernacle and especially the Feasts. As noted yesterday, Pentecost was originally prescribed by God as a feast to celebrate the harvest.

In ancient Israel, there were two periods of harvest—spring harvest in May/June for barley and fall harvest for wheat. During Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which occurs in the spring harvest, the priests had to offer a firstfruit wave offering to the LORD. Jesus died and was resurrected during this period. Paul said:

“But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” (1 Corinthians 15:23 KJV)

Christ is a firstfruit. He is the first of humanity to be harvested from death to life. Paul adds “afterward they that are Christ’s” meaning after Christ, his body will also be harvested as firstfruits. Well, 50 days after the resurrection of Christ, God poured out His Holy Spirit and the Church was born. “Those that are Christ’s” were harvested as firstfruits to God.

God is in the business of harvesting fruit from the earth. We continue the miniseries tomorrow to describe the mysteries of the Holy Spirit and harvest.

MEDITATE

How many agricultural harvest periods were there in ancient Israel? How do these harvest periods relate to the resurrected of Christ and the birth of His Church (spiritual resurrection)?

APPLY THE WORD

If there is one word that resonates with the Father during Pentecost, it is harvest. Harvesting fruits of humanity from the earth unto His barn, which is His household. The Spirit is here. The harvest is ripe. Jump in and be part of this great harvest!