Strong Tower

A daily scripture exposition.

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Leviticus 23:10 NLT
“Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you enter the land I am giving you and you harvest its first crops, bring the priest a bundle of grain from the first cutting of your grain harvest.”
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A bundle of grain
One significant aspect of the festivals that God commanded the people of Israel to observe each year is their profound connection to Jesus Christ. The festival of first fruits, celebrated during the early harvest, prominently highlights the significance of Jesus’s resurrection as a promise of new life and hope for all believers. For Christians, the celebration is not merely historical observances; it commemorates pivotal events in salvation history and symbolizes the enduring hope of Christ’s ultimate victory over death and sin.

An aspect of the First Fruits festival pertains to the quantity of the first fruits that God required from each Israelite. God instructed the people to present a bundle, or sheaf, of grain from their first cutting of the harvest. This seemingly simple command carries profound meaning. It emphasizes that God sought sincere devotion rather than material wealth. By requiring the Israelites to bring an offering from the very first of their harvest, God established a principle of prioritizing Him in their lives, ensuring that they recognized His hand in the blessings of their labour. Importantly, this instruction also illustrates God’s concern for accountability and fairness; He did not design this festival as a means for the priests to benefit at the expense of those who diligently worked in the fields. Instead, it served to reinforce community and shared gratitude towards God.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that God did not instruct the Israelites to begin observing this festival while they were still wandering in the wilderness. This aspect demonstrates God’s compassion and understanding of their situation. He did not ask the people of Israel to fulfill obligations that were beyond their reach or capacity. Instead, He asked them to wait until they entered the promised land.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, please help me to always recognize and deeply appreciate the incredible gift of salvation that Jesus Christ secured for me through His sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary. May I never take for granted the immense price He paid with His precious blood, which cleanses me from our sins and reconciles me with You. In Jesus’s name, I pray, Amen.

Mission statement
Reaching out through love, teaching the truth, and humbly leading all nations to God through Jesus Christ.

Vision statement
A ministry where people from all walks of life can fellowship with one another and worship God through Jesus Christ in Spirit and in truth.

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