The Bible begins with Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. “ The Hebrew translation for “in the beginning” is FIRSTFRUITS! The WORD begins with the concept of Firstfruits seen through the creation of heaven and earth. Firstfruits is not a small concept to the Lord!
Jesus, as the “Firstfruits,” presented Himself to the Father as the FIRST to resurrect from the dead, making a way for us to come into the Father’s presence too. 1 Corinthians 15:23 says, “But each one in his own order; Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.”
God established a pattern of “Firstfruits” to prepare a people in covenant with Him to be ready for His return by honoring Him FIRST with our TIME, TALENT, and TREASURE (The Three T’s). As we do so, we remember that ALL belongs to the Lord and our hearts recognize and abide in His headship.
When is FirstFruits? In Exodus 12:2, God tells Moses that Nisan (Abib) was now the first month of the Hebrew Covenant calendar year, which was a change from what they were accustomed to.
“This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Ex. 12:2).
God used the new moon as a SIGN to establish the first day of this calendar. This coincided with the purpose of creation all the way back in Genesis of establishing the sun, moon, and stars as SIGNS and SEASONS to perfect His Covenant promises.
“Then God said, “Let lights in the expanse of the sky be for separating the day from the night. They will be for SIGNS and for SEASONS and for days and years” (Gen. 1:14).
God gave the Israelites specific instructions to meet on His divine appointments, which included the Sabbaths, Feasts and Firstfruits. Each month on the new moon, was “His time” to honor “Firstfruits:
“Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God” (Num. 10:10).
The Lord Himself tells us His Firstfruits Calendar blueprint doesn’t disappear up ahead when He returns: “For as the new heavens and the new earth which I make shall remain before Me, says the Lord, “So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one NEW MOON to another, and from one SABBATH to another, ALL flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord (Is. 66:22,23).
God has designed to have “Firstfruits” which coincides with the Feast of Trumpets, to usher in the Tabernacles Age when Jesus comes back to fulfill the Fall Feasts and reign on the earth. Honoring Firstfruits prepares His people to be ready!
Each month, we will post the Hebrew meaning of the month as it relates to understanding God’s sign and season of the timing of the Kingdom of God and it’s movement. It is our hope that you and others gather together on Firstfruits and give Him your FIRST!
Hebrews 13:15,16 shares the New Covenant purpose of establishing a rhythm of TIME to honor Firstfruits: “Therefore by Him, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased.”
In honoring the Lord with thanksgiving at the first of our months with our time, we can take that same heart attitude and then honor one another with our time, talent or treasure: multiplying His love and grace to one another.
Honoring the Hebrew Calendar isn’t required for salvation, however, it does honor God’s headship of when He chose for us to gather and meet with Him and to establish a corporate (kingdom) rhythm so we can be ONE with the Father.
Below is a copy of basic “Firstfruits Notes” for you to discover the pattern and purpose of Firstfruits in the Bible.
Mo'Manna 