Tehillim V Tefilah Psalms and Prayer Psalm 2
במדבר " Bamidbar In the wilderness " Torah: Numbers 1:1-4:20 Prophets: Hosea 2:1-22 Gospel: Luke 16:1-17:10
Bikkurim Today s Torah Portion deals with the First Census, and as we will see the main emphasis of this census is to define who is the Firstborn, and from that allocate an inheritance in the land. Once the inheritance is set up, the Firstborn then is required to bring his Firstfruits before YHVH. These are to be done on the Appointed times, on either Passover, Shavuot or Tabernacles. Today being Shavuot, I want to show you why the giving of Torah on Mt. Sinai, and the Ruach Hakodesh on the Temple Mount is tied into the responsibilities of the Firstborn, whether it be Israel, or Yeshua Himself.
Firstborn of Israel Numbers 3: 40 And the Lord said to Moses, List all the firstborn males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number of their names. 41 And you shall take the Levites for me I am the Lord instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the people of Israel. 42 So Moses listed all the firstborn among the people of Israel, as the Lord commanded him. 43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as listed were 22,273.
Firstborn and Firstfruits Commandment for the Firstborn Deuteronomy 26: 1 Now when you enter the land that ADONAI your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, 2 you are to take some of the first of all the produce of the soil, which you gather from your land that ADONAI your God is giving you, put it in a basket and go to the place ADONAI your God chooses to make His Name dwell. 3 You are to go to the kohen in charge in those days and say to him, I declare today to ADONAI your God, that I have entered into the land ADONAI swore to our fathers to give us. 4 The kohen is to take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of ADONAI your God.
Firstborn and Firstfruits Deuteronomy 26: 12 When you finish tithing the full tenth of your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you are to give it to the Levite, to the outsider, to the orphan and to the widow, so that they may eat within your town gates and be satisfied. 13 Then you are to say before ADONAI your God, I have removed the holy tithe from my house and also have given it to the Levite and to the outsider, to the orphan and to the widow, according to all Your mitzvah that You have commanded me. I have not transgressed or forgotten any of Your mitzvot.
Firstborn and Firstfruits So in the third year, when you begin harvesting your fields, a tenth of your produce would be required as a tithe to take care of the Levite, the immigrants who had come into your land, the poor, orphans, and widows. This system was a form of social security that was tied to the land. Since they came out of Egypt as slaves, and were given and inheritance this commandment tied the Firstborn who was given a lot of land during the time of Joshua to giving of the Firstfruits or Bikkurim. There were three primary harvests: Barley harvest during Passover (spring time) Wheat harvest during Shavuot (summer harvest) Grape or fruit harvest during Sukkot (fall harvest)
Firstborn and Firstfruits Now we can see the reason for taking a census was for the intention to establish the firstborn with their inheritance. They would end up drawing lots for their allocation of land, based on this census. Then the firstborn responsibilities would be drawn up, as we see here in the constitution of Israel Deuteronomy. No one, except YHVH Himself, knew the actions of the 10 spies would jeopardize the first generation s inheritance. The next census in Numbers 26, was after an entire generation ends up dying in the wilderness, and this would change how the lots were drawn (remember the daughters of Zelophed).
Firstborn
Firstborn Let s first go through how the inheritance was connected to the firstborn: The first time we connect an inheritance to the Firstborn comes in Genesis with Esau and Jacob Genesis 25:21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 But the children struggled inside her, and she said, If it is going to be like this, I m not so sure I want to be pregnant! So she asked the Lord, 23 and the Lord said to her, Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from within you. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. 24 When the time came for Rebekah to give birth, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out reddish all over, like a hairy garment, so they named him Esau. 26 When his brother came out with his hand clutching Esau s heel, they named him Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.
Firstborn So from this struggle develops two nations, Jacob would end up with both a blessing and a birthright (which implies the double portion of the inheritance) Then we see the birthright further defined by the firstborn in the sons of Joseph: Genesis 48:13 Joseph positioned them; he put Ephraim on his right hand across from Israel s left hand, and Manasseh on his left hand across from Israel s right hand. Then Joseph brought them closer to his father. 14 Israel stretched out his right hand and placed it on Ephraim s head, although he was the younger. Crossing his hands, he put his left hand on Manasseh s head, for Manasseh was the firstborn.. 17 When Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim s head, it displeased him. So he took his father s hand to move it from Ephraim s head to Manasseh s head. 18 Joseph said to his father, Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head. 19 But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know. He too will become a nation and he too will become great. In spite of this, his younger brother will be even greater and his descendants will become a multitude of nations.
Firstborn Responsibilities The Firstborn, receives an inheritance, a double portion, a blessing but more importantly he becomes the spiritual covering of the entire family. Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son (Yeshua) and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Hebrews 1:6 But when he again brings his firstborn into the world, he says, Let all the angels of God worship him (Yeshua)! Hebrews 11:28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
Firstborn The laws and customs of all nations in the ANE, show that to be firstborn means, not only priority in time, but a certain superiority in privilege and authority. Exodus 4:22 You must say to Pharaoh, Thus says the Lord, Israel is my son, my firstborn, Psalm 89:27 I will appoint him to be my firstborn son, the most exalted of the earth s kings. Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation (reference to Yeshua),
Firstborn First we see a precedent of the importance of the firstborn, in Jacob over Esau, and later, Ephraim over Manasseh. It was alluded to, when Seth was born, over his brother Cain who was cursed. Yeshua then becomes Firstborn over all creation That being said, after the First Century, and even today Israel may be out of the land, but the responsibilities of the Firstborn haven t changed. At some point, a census will be taken, lots will be drawn, and Israel will completely inherit the land. Those responsibilities will again be defined completely in Torah, but we must carry on with the understanding that the Firstborn carries a huge responsibility in the eyes of our creator.
Yeshua as Firstborn There are many verses that refer to Yeshua as the Firstborn As Son of YHVH, he was given preeminence over all nations and kings. Colossians 1:18 He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. Revelations 1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn from among the dead, the ruler over the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and has set us free from our sins at the cost of his own blood.
Firstborn first -born, first -ling (Hebrew -bekhor; Greek - prototokos): The Hebrew word denotes the firstborn of human beings as well as of animals (Ex 11:5), while a word from the same root denotes first-fruits (Hebrew Bikkurim) Exodus 23:16 You are also to observe the Feast of Harvest, the Firstfruits (Bikkurim) of your labors that you have sown in the field, and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year when you have gathered in your harvest out of the field. All this points to one conclusion that among the ancestors of the Israelites the dedication of the firstborn was practiced, just as the firstlings of the flocks and the first-fruits of the produce of the earth were devoted to the YHVH. (Cherem or devoted things)
Firstfruits
The Feast of Firstfruits Leviticus 23: 9 ADONAI spoke to Moses saying: 10 Speak to Bnei-Yisrael and tell them: When you have come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you are to bring the omer [a] of the firstfruits of your harvest to the kohen. 11 He is to wave the omer before ADONAI, to be accepted for you. On the morrow after the Shabbat, the kohen is to wave it. 12 On the day when you wave the omer you are to offer a male lamb without blemish, one year old, as a burnt offering to ADONAI. Remember Firstfruits is one of three of the spring feasts: (Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits) - Some of the most important events on Earth have happened on the Feast of Firstfruits, let s take a look at them:
The Feast of Firstfruits So lets look at the chronology to understand YHVH s plan: Nissan (Aviv) 14 (Yeshua died on this day in the 9 th hour) Nissan (Aviv) 15 The High Sabbath of Passover night of the Seder Nissan (Aviv) 16 Beginning of the Feast of Unleavened bread (Last seven days) Nissan (Aviv) 17 This is the day that Yeshua resurrected. This was the third day after Passover. This is considered Feast of Firstfruits to be celebrated and begin the counting of the Omer. When looking at this chronologically, Colossians 1 and Revelations 1 now make more sense, since they were connected to His Feast days.
The Feast of Firstfruits Let s look at some events that have conspired on this day Nissan (Aviv) 17: 1. Noah and the worldwide flood ended on Nissan 17; We have 8 people who marked the anniversary of the rebirth of the Earth on this day. 2. Israel crossed the Red Sea. Remember they left Egypt on Passover, and on the third day went through the Red Sea. - 49 days later, we have the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. 3. The Wave Sheaf offering was made this is the Firstfruit of the Barley Harvest 4. Haman was hanged He was a type and shadow of an Antichrist (Anti- Messiah). Does this foreshadow the mortal wound of the Anti- Messiah in Revelation? 5. Yeshua was resurrected on this day. 1 Corinthians 15: 20 But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also has come through a Man. [a] 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Messiah will all be made alive. 23 But each in its own order: Messiah the firstfruits; then, at His coming, those who belong to Messiah;
Firstfruits and a Harvest Feast of Shavuot is celebrated 50 days from the first harvest. Yeshua used many agriculture principles to teach us YHVH times and seasons. We know that the grape harvest is the third harvest of the year. Seven months from the first barley harvest, and the second wheat harvest. Let s see if we can look at shadows of a final harvest. Revelation 14: 3 And they are singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one is able to learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been redeemed from among mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.
Firstfruits and a Harvest Yeshua was Firstfruits of the dead of all creation. In other words, he was the first to have resurrected body. The 144,000 are different. Scripture mentions them as first of mankind, even though many had died before them exactly what are they first for? Matthew 9: 37 Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Firstfruits and a Harvest So when does the great harvest come, following the Firstfruits of the 144,000? Mark 4: 26 And He was saying, The kingdom of God is like when a man spreads seed on the soil 27 and falls asleep at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows. He himself doesn t know how. 28 Automatically, the earth brings forth a crop first the blade, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain is ready, at once he sends in the sickle, for the harvest has come. Yeshua referring to a harvest of a Mustard seed. This is harvested along with the Barley in the Spring. So do we have the Firstfruits of the 144,000 taken to him in the Spring followed by another harvest later?
Firstfruits and a Harvest Revelation 14: 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe." Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped. Matthew 25: 31 Now when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [c] 33 And He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on His left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Firstfruits and a Harvest Because each one of the feast takes place during harvest seasons, we can look to a season to understand when something takes place. Firstfruits will always follow the complete harvest. Those of us who keep His commandments, and follow his statutes will be part of a great harvest that had been planned since the foundations of the earth. Firstfruits only gives us shadows of what is to come. Shavuot is one of the most joyous times of the year. Summer is upon us, and what Israel received during this season changed the Kingdom forever First came Torah, then His Ruach Hakodesh.
Understanding Shavuot
The Names of the Festival Natan Torah - Shavuot is the anniversary of the Revelation or the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Shavuot literally means "weeks;" Shavuot is thus known as the Festival of Weeks. Atzeret or Completion - It is called so because it culminates the seven week period of counting the omer which begins on the second day of Passover, when the omer barley offering is brought to the Temple. But the Bible also refers to it as the "Feast of Firstfruits" (Exodus 23:16, Numbers 28:26), and the firstfruits cannot be brought to the Temple until then.
The "Seven Species" of the Land of Israel In many ways this festival is the celebration of the Land of Israel itself, when thanks is given to G-d for the produce of the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 26: 1 "When you come to the land that the L-rd your G-d is giving you as a heritage, occupying and settling it, you shall take the first of every fruit of the ground produced by the land that the L-rd your G-d is giving you. You must place it in a basket, and go to the site that G-d will choose as the place associated with His name. What are the fruits of the ground which they are referring?
The "Seven Species" of the Land of Israel Deuteronomy 8: 7 For ADONAI your God is bringing you into a good land a land of wadis with water, of springs and fountains flowing out in the valleys and hills, 8 a land of wheat and barley, vines, figs and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey, The commandment doesn t include every fruit that the land produces, because we know than and now there are many others not mentioned. It is these seven that are to be collected and place in baskets before the Levites. Either in the Levitical cities or Shiloh/Jerusalem.
How Are the Firstfruits Separated? When the fruit begins to ripen on the trees, the owner would mark the first fruit to ripen by tying a reed around it. Thus he would literally be bringing the first fruit of his harvest to the Holy Temple, not just a symbolic representation. The Mishna (Bikurim 3, 1) teaches: "How are the firstfruits separated? One goes into his field, and finds that his figs, his grapes or his pomegranates have begun to ripen. He ties it around with a reed band (or any other distinguishidentify that these have been separated as firstfruits. This is so that later, when the time comes to harvest the fruit, he will be able to identify exactly which fruits were the first to ripen). "He ties the band and declares orally: 'These are the firstfruits!'" In effect, it is this declaration which transforms the status of this produce into the Biblically-mandated firstfruits; once the name has been given to them at this point, no other official designation is required. Thus, later, when the fruits are picked, he need not repeat his declaration.
Pilgrimage to Jerusalem Descriptions in the writings of the Mishna and Midrashim abound which paint a vivid picture of the caravans of pilgrims in procession, and how these entourages appeared as they bore their firstfruit offerings, by hand, laden in wagons, or on their heads. Though who were at the head of the procession and were closer to Jerusalem, carried fresh fruits - for since they were closer, their was no danger that their offerings would spoil. Those who were further back and who would not arrive as early, brought dried fruits. Sheep, goats and bullocks also accompanied the great processions, to be sacrificed in the Holy Temple as the various holiday offerings.
Pilgrimage to Jerusalem Acts 2: 1 When the day of Shavuot [a] had come, they were all together in one place. 5 Now Jewish people were staying in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, All these who are speaking aren t they Galileans? 8 How is it that we each hear our own birth language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those living in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and parts of Libya toward Cyrene, and visitors from Rome 11 (both Jewish people and proselytes), Cretans and Arabs we hear them declaring in our own tongues the mighty deeds of God! 12 And they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other, What does this mean?
Pilgrimage to Jerusalem It was said that all 70 nations were represented there in Jerusalem; just as it was on Mt. Sinai when the mixed multitude was said to have heard the thunderings and the voice of YHVH in all 70 languages. In each district along the long road to Jerusalem, all the pilgrims from the outlying towns and villages gather together in the city of the local assembly head, who is responsible for the pilgrimage. From there, the entire multitude will continue their procession to Jerusalem all together, in a large entourage-for "The King's honor is in a multitude of people" (Proverbs 14:28), meaning the more the participants, the greater the glory for G-d and His Divine commandments.
How Are the Firstfruits Brought? From the Oral Torah, and Talmud: "The choicest way of performing this commandment is to bring the seven species of firstfruits in seven separate vessels, and not in one mixture. The barley should be on the lowest level, with the wheat above it, followed by olives, then dates, with pomegranates above the dates, and figs at the very top" (Tosefta Bikurim 2,8; Maimonides). The two pigeons which were brought by each pilgrim were also fastened to the firstfruit baskets, either on top (Bikurim 3, 5) or along the sides (Jerusalem Talmud).
How Are the Firstfruits Brought? The experience of bringing the firstfruits to the Temple served to unite the entire nation. By expressing heartfelt thanks for G-d's bounty and presenting the beginning of one's harvest to Him, a circle was closed as nature's yield was returned to its origin. "And you shall rejoice for all the goodness which the Lord your God has given to you and your household" (Deut. 26:11). Thus all would stand together, side by side, and participate in this humbling and gratifying experience in the hallowed courts of the Temple - rich and poor alike. "When they entered into the Hulda Gates," states the Mishna, "Even King Agrippa placed the basket on his shoulder" like a common pilgrim. "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the L-rd your G-d which He has given you" (Deut. 16:17). The rich brought their firstfruit offerings in baskets of gold, or of silver; the poor brought their offerings in baskets of peeled willow-shoots. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the wealthy brought their baskets home with them, and the poor gave theirs to the priests (Maimonides, Bikurim, 3:8).
How Are the Firstfruits Brought? The ceremony of bringing the firstfruits offering is held in a special area within the Holy Temple, a section designated as "between the hall and the altar." This area has a special sanctity, and entrance therein is forbidden to ordinary Israelites -and even to blemished priests (who are unfit to serve - Maimonides, Laws of the Temple, 7:20). However, the commandment of the firstfruit offering differs from all other sacrifices, in that an ordinary Israelite is not only permitted, but actually commanded to fulfill this Divine obligation in that very place (see Sifre on Deut. 26:4, and commentary of Malbim).
Shavuot serves to unite the nation, the community unlike all other Feasts we are united by Torah, and the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit). It connects to our inheritance and to our Messiah. John 14: 1 Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. 2 In My Father s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you may also be. 4 And you know the way to where I am going. Soon our Messiah will be ruling and reigning in Jerusalem and we will Celebrate Shavuot with our King!