New and Improved

It's a new year and time to make those resolutions once again. I'm resolving to improve this blog. And, of course, I'm resolving to go on a diet and lose weight. My diet resolutions usually last until about January 7. And if this blog improves any it will not be on my account, but rather due to my sweet daughter who entered the MTC on Wednesday, as she learns the Canadian language before departing to the "north countries" (see Ether 13: 11; D&C 133: 26). Yes, it is a foreign language. I know because I'm married to a Canadian, and I don't mean French. My daughter is going to Edmonton and it's an English-speaking mission.

Seriously though, it's hard to say goodbye, but our little family has already been blessed, and I have felt such an outpouring of the Spirit the last four days since her mission began. I bear testimony that the Lord blesses missionary families. Even my scripture study has improved and I attribute it to my missionary daughter.

I try to write these in order and hope to finish the Book of Mormon sometime during my mortal life. That may be a stretch at the rate I'm going. The timing for the next Jacob chapter coincides quite well with the New Year holiday however.

Jacob's Priestly Ministry Continues

Previous chapters in Jacob have dealt with the priestly ordinances of sacrifice, and how the blood of the sacrifice is a type of Christ, and His sacrifice for us. The blood of the sacrificial animals would sometimes come upon the garments of the priest in Old Testament times, and there are obvious similarities and differences. Ironically, we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus and our garments are made white as they are washed by His blood (see Alma 5: 21 for example).

But today we are going to look at another ordinance performed by the priest at the three required Old Testament feasts of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Tabernacles. 

Firstfruits As a Type of Christ

A presentation of firstfruits was given at each of the three required feasts. The ritual included "the waving before the Lord of a sheaf of barley on the morrow of the Passover Sabbath (Lev. 23:10–14); the offering of two loaves made with new wheat flour at the Feast of Pentecost (Ex. 34:22; Lev. 23:15, 17); a thanksgiving for the harvest at the Feast of Tabernacles, or of Ingathering" (Bible Dictionary, "Firstfruits"). Each of these presentations has relevance to Jacob's teachings of firstfruits in Jacob chapter 4.

The symbolic meaning of firstfruits centers on two concepts. First is the concept of order. Christ is the Firstborn and also the first to be resurrected. Abinadi taught that the first resurrection included the prophets, those who believed in their words, and those who keep the commandments of God (Mosiah 15: 22). Abinadi's teachings make clear another important concept. The firstfruits also represented the very best that could be offered.

Firstfruits Represent God's Very Best

An Internet site entitled "Bible Study Tools" states, "The concept of firstfruits derives from God's creation work. Because God created everything that exists, all of creation belongs to him ( Psalm 24:1 ). Consequently, that which is first and best belongs to him and is to be given to him." Click here for a link to this most excellent article regarding firstfruits.

The firstfruits also referred to Israel's seven best agricultural products: wheat, barley, wine, figs, pomegranates, olive oil, and honey (Deuteronomy 8: 8). These were given to the priests for their maintenance and each has special meaning. Wheat was separated from the tares. Barley was given to their work animals. Wine represented blood, and particularly the cleansing blood of Christ. Figs and pomegranates represented fruitfulness because of their seedy nature. Pure olive oil was pressed in Gethsemane (meaning "oil press"). And honey represented the Promised Land, flowing with milk and honey (see Numbers 13: 27).

Notice there are seven firstfruit products recalling the seven days of Creation. The number seven is closely associated with covenants. The Hebrew word sheba was the number seven, but it also meant to make a covenant. So in Hebrew when one swears an oath, they would "seven" themselves. It's a reminder of our covenants to God, for which He gives all in return.

Passover Firstfruits

On the morrow of the Passover Sabbath, a sheaf of barley was waved before the Lord. Passover occurred in the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It served as a pledge to guarantee that other sheaves of wheat and barley would be forthcoming from later crops. That is why Paul said, "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." He goes on to say, "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming" (1 Corinthians 15: 20, 23).

Jesus Christ was the "firstfruits" of the resurrection, guaranteeing that all mankind would also be resurrected. Everyone will be resurrected, however not everyone will be included in the first resurrection. "First" represents a type of resurrection, similar to something which is "first class." Since the firstfruits belong to God, Paul is speaking of the firstfruits as those who "are Christ's at His coming."

Pentecostal Firstfruits

Fifty days after Passover was the Feast of Pentecost. It was also called “the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours” and “the feast of weeks.” This feast occurs at the first wheat harvest. Central to this feast is the presentation of firstfruits, consisting of the offering of two loaves made with new wheat flour. It is only after the chaff is separated and the wheat is refined into pure, white flour that it becomes good enough to make loaves presentable before the Lord.

Ingathering Firstfruits

At the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), there is a thanksgiving for the harvest. All the fruits are "gathered in" as great joy and gratitude are expressed. Many Bible scholars believe the early Pilgrims got the idea of a Thanksgiving celebration from this Biblical feast. Israelites dwelt in tabernacles for seven days. It is almost certain that King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon gave his speech during this Old Testament feast. You may notice how his people gathered to the temple, as they did in all three required feasts, that "they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men" (Mosiah 2: 4). King Benjamin's people also dwelt in tabernacles at the temple site during this speech. The Book of Mormon refers to their booths as tents, but in Hebrew, tent and tabernacle are the same word.

Jacob's Teachings of Firstfruits

Jacob gives the true purpose for the Law of Moses: "And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son" (Jacob 4: 5). That's why they presented firstfruits to God. And Abraham's offering was truly a firstfruit offering of the very best, most beloved, and precious sacrifice he could give to God.

In context of all of this, Jacob declares, 

"Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh" (Jacob 4: 11).

Those who yield their hearts unto God will be purified and sanctified "unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation" (see Helaman 3: 35). But instead of the priest waving the offering at the door of the tabernacle, it will be the Great High Priest, even Jesus Christ, presenting His jewels, those who allow themselves to be ransomed through His Atonement, as He presents them to His Father, declaring them to be the very best. Indeed, they are His precious, spiritually begotten sons and daughters.

On this first day of a new year, we have an opportunity to be a "firstfruit" unto God, giving Him our very best, reconciling our souls to Him.

Happy New Year!