Bikkurim

The Significance of Firstfruits

The term "firstfruits" refers to the initial produce that emerges from the harvest. In ancient Israel, the firstfruits were to be dedicated to YAHUAH as an offering of thanksgiving. This practice is rooted in several key biblical instructions and carries deep theological meaning, especially in light of Yahusha’s (Yeshua's) resurrection.

Biblical Instructions for Firstfruits

The Festival of Firstfruits, or Bikkurim, was celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of Unleavened Bread and fell on the "day after the Sabbath" following Passover:

• Leviticus 23:10-11: “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. He is to wave the sheaf before YAHUAH so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath.’”
  This command establishes the practice of offering the firstfruits to YAHUAH and specifies its timing.

The Feast of Firstfruits was a celebration of the beginning of the harvest and a reminder of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. This festival not only marked the agricultural cycle but also symbolized the redemption of Israel as YAHUAH’s firstborn son:

• Exodus 4:22: “Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what YAHUAH says: Israel is my firstborn son,’”
  This passage underscores Israel's special status as YAHUAH’s chosen people, reinforcing the significance of their deliverance from Egypt.

Connection to Yahusha

The concept of firstfruits gains profound theological depth when understood in relation to Yahusha’s resurrection. The New Testament draws a parallel between the Festival of Firstfruits and Yahusha, highlighting His role as the firstborn among many brethren:

• 1 Corinthians 15:20: “But Messiah has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
  Paul identifies Yahusha as the “firstfruits” of the resurrection, signifying that His resurrection is the beginning of a greater harvest of believers who will be raised from the dead.

• Romans 1:3-4: “Regarding His Son, who as to His earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of Elohim in power by His resurrection from the dead: Yahusha Messiah our Master.”
  This passage affirms Yahusha’s resurrection and His designation as the Son of Elohim with power, establishing Him as the firstborn from the dead.

• Romans 8:29-30: “For those Elohim foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.”
  This passage highlights Yahusha’s role as the firstborn among many believers, affirming His central place in the redemption plan.

By observing the Festival of Firstfruits and recognizing Yahusha as the ultimate Firstfruits, believers acknowledge both the agricultural and spiritual dimensions of the feast. The annual celebration of Firstfruits serves as a reminder of Israel’s redemption and a prefiguration of the resurrection and future harvest promised through Yahusha. This connection enriches the understanding of Firstfruits, transforming it from an agricultural observance into a profound symbol of resurrection and new life in Yahusha.

How to Keep the Feast of Firstfruits: Torah Instructions

1. Timing of Firstfruits

The Feast of Firstfruits (Bikkurim) is observed on the day after the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It marks the beginning of the barley harvest and is a time of offering the first ripe sheaf of the harvest to YAHUAH.

• Leviticus 23:10-11: “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before YAHUAH, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.’”

New Testament Reference: Yahusha’s resurrection aligns with the Feast of Firstfruits, marking Him as the “firstfruits” of those who have fallen asleep.

• 1 Corinthians 15:20: “But now Messiah is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

2. The Offering of the Firstfruits

The offering included a sheaf of the first barley harvest, which was waved before YAHUAH by the priest. This act symbolized the dedication of the entire harvest to YAHUAH.

• Leviticus 23:12-14: “And you shall offer on that day, when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb of the first year without blemish as a burnt offering to YAHUAH. Its grain offering shall be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to YAHUAH, for a sweet aroma; and its drink offering shall be of wine, one-fourth of a hin. You shall eat neither bread nor roasted grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your Elohim; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.”

New Testament Reference: Yahusha’s resurrection is celebrated as the fulfillment of the Firstfruits offering, signifying the promise of resurrection for believers.

• 1 Corinthians 15:23: “But each one in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits, afterward those who are Messiah’s at His coming.”

3. The Purpose of Firstfruits

The Firstfruits offering was a way of acknowledging that YAHUAH is the provider of the harvest and that all increase comes from Him. It was also a way of dedicating the upcoming harvest to YAHUAH.

• Exodus 23:19: “The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of YAHUAH your Elohim. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

New Testament Reference: Yahusha’s resurrection as the Firstfruits represents the guarantee of the future resurrection of all who belong to Him.

• Romans 8:23: “Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”

4. The Memorial of Firstfruits

The Feast of Firstfruits serves as a memorial of YAHUAH’s provision and a reminder of the resurrection power of Messiah.

• Deuteronomy 26:1-2: “And it shall be, when you come into the land which YAHUAH your Elohim is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground which you shall bring from your land that YAHUAH your Elohim is giving you, and put it in a basket, and go to the place where YAHUAH your Elohim chooses to make His name abide.”

New Testament Reference: The concept of Firstfruits is tied to the broader theme of new life and the beginning of a spiritual harvest.

• James 1:18: “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”

5. Future Fulfillment

The principles of Firstfruits continue to be relevant as a symbol of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life.

• Revelation 14:4: “These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to Elohim and to the Lamb.”

Conclusion

The Feast of Firstfruits (Bikkurim) marks the beginning of the barley harvest and is celebrated on the day after the Sabbath during Unleavened Bread. It involves offering the first ripe sheaf of the harvest to YAHUAH, acknowledging His provision. This feast finds its ultimate fulfillment in Yahusha’s resurrection as the “firstfruits” of those who have died, guaranteeing the resurrection of believers. As we observe Firstfruits, we are reminded of YAHUAH’s provision and the promise of new life through Messiah.

The Promised Land draws near! Amein Alleluyah.