The firstfruits offering was a sacred offering commanded by God in the Old Testament. It was an offering of the first and best fruits of the harvest to God, recognizing Him as the provider of all blessings (Deuteronomy 26:1-11).
The first mention of the firstfruits offering is in Exodus 23:19: “The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God.” The term “firstfruits” indicates the first and best portion of the harvest. Giving the firstfruits recognized that the entire harvest belongs to God and is from His provision.
Leviticus 23 outlines the timing and details of the firstfruits offering. The first sheaf (bundle) of the barley harvest was to be brought to the priest to be waved before the Lord on the day after the Sabbath during the Passover and Unleavened Bread feast. This symbolized the consecration of the entire spring harvest to the Lord (Leviticus 23:9-14).
Later, at the Festival of Weeks, also called Pentecost, another firstfruits offering from the wheat harvest was brought and waved before the Lord (Leviticus 23:15-21). This represented the consecration of the summer harvest.
Deuteronomy 26 gives detailed instructions for the ceremony accompanying the firstfruits offering. When presenting the firstfruits, the giver was to recite the story of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt and proclaim God’s faithfulness in bringing them to the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 26:1-11). This served as a powerful reminder of God’s abundant provision.
The firstfruits offering had to be the finest portions of the crop, representing its best fruit (Exodus 23:19). The item was given in its raw state; it could not be prepared, cooked, or mixed with additives (Deuteronomy 26:2). The offering had to come from the land of Israel; firstfruits from outside the Promised Land were unacceptable (Exodus 23:19).
All firstfruits belonged to the Lord and were given to the priests (Numbers 18:12-13). The priests could eat a portion of the offering within the courts of the temple and share it with their families (Leviticus 23:20). The rest was stored in the temple treasuries to provide for the priests and Levites who served there (Nehemiah 10:37-39).
Firstfruits and tithes were the primary means of provision for the priests and Levites under the Mosaic system. Faithfully giving the first and best of produce and livestock taught the people to put God first in their lives and trust Him to meet all their needs.
The concept of firstfruits appears symbolically throughout Scripture:
- Israel is called God’s firstfruits harvest (Jeremiah 2:3).
- Christ’s resurrection is called the firstfruits of the dead, showing He is the first to rise with an imperishable body (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
- Believers in Christ are a kind of firstfruits of all creation (James 1:18).
- The 144,000 in Revelation 14 are said to be firstfruits for God (Revelation 14:4).
Just as the firstfruits offering represented the consecration of the whole harvest to God, these references depict a consecrated people set apart for God’s glory.
The firstfruits offering was an act of faith, sacrifice, and worship to honor God. It represented the dedication of the harvest to the Lord who sovereignly provides it. For modern believers, it illustrates putting God first in all areas of life, from finances to time to abilities.
Detailed Overview of the Firstfruits Offering
The firstfruits offering was one of several religious offerings and celebrations instituted by God for Israel in the Old Testament. Here is a detailed look at key aspects of this offering:
Scriptural Basis
The firstfruits offering was first commanded by God in Exodus 23:19: “The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.” Details were then given in Exodus 34:26, Leviticus 2 and 23, Numbers 15, Deuteronomy 26, and other passages.
Purpose and Meaning
The offering had several key purposes and meanings:
- Acknowledge God as the owner and giver of the harvest and all blessing (Deuteronomy 26:10).
- Give God the best and first portion in faith that He would bless the rest (Proverbs 3:9-10).
- Support the work of the priests and Levites who depended on offerings (Nehemiah 10:35-37).
- Remind the people of God’s faithfulness in bringing them out of Egypt to the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 26:5-9).
Prescribed Elements
God gave specific instructions for the firstfruits offering:
- It was to come from the first and best portions of the harvest (Exodus 23:19).
- It had to be raw produce, unchanged by any preparation (Deuteronomy 26:2).
- It had to come from crops grown in the land of Israel (Exodus 23:19).
- It was brought in the form of bundled sheaves or loose grain (Leviticus 23:10-11).
- A ceremony of worship accompanied the offering (Deuteronomy 26:3-10).
Required Times and Celebrations
There were set times for bringing firstfruits:
- Passover/Unleavened Bread – The first sheaf (omer) of barley was offered on the day after the Sabbath during this festival, marking the start of the barley harvest (Leviticus 23:9-14).
- Pentecost (Festival of Weeks) – The firstfruits of the wheat harvest were brought on this day, representing the larger summer harvest (Leviticus 23:15-21).
- Every day – In addition to special occasions, firstfruits could be brought anytime as thank offerings (Leviticus 2, Deuteronomy 26:1-11).
Ritual Procedure
The priest would perform certain rituals with the firstfruits offering:
- Wave the sheaf or bundle before the Lord (Leviticus 23:11, 20).
- Present it at the altar (Deuteronomy 26:4).
- Offer accompanying sacrifices (Leviticus 23:12-13, 18-19).
This ritual dedication to God was a visible demonstration of consecrating the harvest.
Who Could Offer Firstfruits?
All Israelites who reaped harvests were expected to give God the firstfruits.
Only produce grown in the Promised Land of Israel qualified as proper firstfruits. This emphasized God’s provision of the land and associated covenant blessings (Deuteronomy 26:1-3, 9).
Who Received the Offering?
The priests were entitled to all firstfruits offerings for their provision (Numbers 18:12-13). They could eat a portion as food within the temple courts (Leviticus 23:20) and were to store the rest in the temple treasuries (Nehemiah 10:37-39).
This system supported the priests and Levites who depended on temple service for their livelihood. It was part of God’s command for the people to materially provide for those who ministered spiritually to them (Numbers 18:21-24).
Examples of Firstfruits in the Bible
Several passages give examples of the firstfruits offering in practice.
The First Passover in Egypt
The Passover lamb sacrifice foreshadowed the concept of firstfruits. God commanded Israel to sacrifice a lamb and put its blood on the doorposts so the destroying angel would “pass over” their homes. The firstborn sons of Israel were spared while Egypt’s firstborn were slain (Exodus 11-12).
In commemoration, all Israelite firstborn sons and animals belonged to God in a special sense. The firstborn were either redeemed with an offering or dedicated to priestly service, recognizing God’s claim on them (Exodus 13:1-16, Numbers 3:11-13).
Gathering Manna in the Wilderness
As Israel traveled to Sinai after the Exodus, God provided manna and quail for food. The people were commanded to gather only what was needed each day except on the sixth day, when they collected a double portion for the Sabbath (Exodus 16:4-5, 22-30).
The manna provided both a daily test of faith in God’s provision and an object lesson in trusting Him for the needs of each day. Israel had to rely on His faithful daily bread rather than hoarding up provision for the future.
Offerings at Mount Sinai
After making the covenant with Israel at Sinai, the Lord reiterated the command for firstfruits offerings (Exodus 23:19). He provided detailed instructions for various offerings in Exodus 25-30 to equip the tabernacle for worship.
When the tabernacle was completed, the leaders of Israel brought generous firstfruits offerings of materials, spices, oils, and gems for constructing and outfitting it (Exodus 35:4-29). The people continued giving freewill offerings every morning (Exodus 36:2-7). Their gifts reflected eagerness to honor God from the first and best of their resources.
Offerings by the Israelites
Under Joshua’s leadership after entering Canaan, the Israelites celebrated Passover and ate produce from the land for the first time. The day after Passover they offered the firstfruits of the land in a ceremony led by Joshua (Joshua 5:10-12).
During Hezekiah’s reforms, the people responded wholeheartedly and joyfully brought great quantities of firstfruits offerings (2 Chronicles 31:5-10). Under Nehemiah, the restored community pledged to faithfully bring the firstfruits again (Nehemiah 10:35-39). These offerings showed revival of true worship.
Offerings Foreshadowing Christ
The firstfruits concept connects deeply to Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection:
- He is called the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” as the first to rise from the dead in an imperishable body, paving the way for our resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
- His sacrifice saves people as firstfruits of an even greater harvest (Romans 8:23, James 1:18).
- The Old Testament firstfruits foreshadowed New Testament believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of greater glory to come (Romans 8:23).
Just as firstfruits consecrated the harvest, Christ’s resurrection consecrates the even greater harvest of believers God is gathering for eternity.
Significance of the Firstfruits Offering
The firstfruits offering held deep spiritual significance for Israel and continues to convey important principles:
God’s Provision and Blessing
Presenting the first and best portions of harvest produce acknowledged God as the generous provider of fertility, rainfall, and abundance. Offering firstfruits was an act of dependence and faith, trusting God to multiply blessing on what remained.
God’s Worthiness
Giving God the first and finest portions declared His surpassing worth above all else. It reflected the command to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). He alone is worthy of supreme honor.
God’s Faithfulness
The offering remembered God’s covenant loyalty in fulfilling His promises to make Israel prosper in the land He swore to their forefathers (Deuteronomy 26:1-11). His past faithfulness gave assurance of blessings for the future.
Israel’s Consecration
Presenting firstfruits set apart the entire nation as God’s covenant people, distinct from all other nations. Their lives and economy were to be governed by His word and priorities. They owed all to Him.
For modern believers, the firstfruits principle challenges us to honor God first with the best of our time, talents, finances and possessions. It reminds us that our abilities and resources belong entirely to Him for His purposes.
New Testament Perspective on Firstfruits
While the firstfruits offering was an Old Testament ritual, the New Testament highlights its symbolic significance pointing to Christ and the life of faith:
Christ as Firstfruits
The ultimate fulfillment is seen in Jesus, called the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” as the precursor of the resurrection harvest (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). His resurrection guarantees our future resurrection.
Believers are also “a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (James 1:18) as God’s redeemed people, set apart to glorify Him. Though small now, they represent a greater harvest yet to come.
Living Sacrifices
Instead of physical offerings, believers are called to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). This is our spiritual act of worship and consecration.
Generous Giving
While no offerings are mandated, believers are encouraged to generously and cheerfully support gospel ministry from the firstfruits of income (1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7). God loves a cheerful giver.
Serving God First
Instead of tokens of harvest, we honor God with the first and best of our time, abilities, and possessions. He promises to bless those who put His kingdom first above all else (Matthew 6:33).
The imagery of firstfruits ultimately points to the glory of Christ and the life of consecration, worship, and provision for ministry He calls every believer to live for His glory.
