Setting – Moses provides the law about first fruits. When bringing it to the priest they were to recite how the Lord brought them out of Egypt.
Content – Once they entered the Promise Land, they were to bring their first fruits in a basket to the priest. Then they are to recall how (v. 9), “…He has brought us to this place, and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey”. The third year tithe was to be distributed to the Levites, strangers, aliens, widows and orphans. Upon giving of this tithe, they were to confess (v. 13), “…I have removed the sacred {portion} from {my} house” & “…I have not transgressed or forgotten any of Your commandments…” (v. 14), “I have not eaten of it while mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor offered any of it to the dead. I have listened to the voice of the LORD my God; I have done according to all that You have commanded me.”
After the confession they would ask to be blessed (v. 15), “…bless Your people Israel, and the ground which You have given us, a land flowing with milk and honey…”
God has declared Israel as a “treasured possession”. He would also (v. 19), “…set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the LORD your God, as He has spoken.”
Application – Reflecting upon what God had gone through with Israel (sin in the wilderness, among other things); God still fulfilled His promised and brought them to the Promise Land. He heard their cries in Egypt and not only removed them from the slavery, but to a land, “flowing with milk and honey” - a land that they didn’t build the houses or establish the fields of vineyards. God not only showed mercy (removing them from Egypt), He greatly blessed them.
God promised continual blessing if they were to keep His commandments. His blessings were great.
We see once again a reminder that God is in the business of raining down blessings. I feel the same way about our move from Tracy. I feel that God has prepared a home built by an outstanding craftsman (I couldn’t have done a better job myself); to awesome neighbors and just a wonderful place to live.
I thank God continually for where we live; I hope that God is blessed by us living here. I hope that I am offering my ‘first fruits’ to the Lord and that I can ask for blessings to my children and that we are a blessing to others.
Content – Once they entered the Promise Land, they were to bring their first fruits in a basket to the priest. Then they are to recall how (v. 9), “…He has brought us to this place, and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey”. The third year tithe was to be distributed to the Levites, strangers, aliens, widows and orphans. Upon giving of this tithe, they were to confess (v. 13), “…I have removed the sacred {portion} from {my} house” & “…I have not transgressed or forgotten any of Your commandments…” (v. 14), “I have not eaten of it while mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor offered any of it to the dead. I have listened to the voice of the LORD my God; I have done according to all that You have commanded me.”
After the confession they would ask to be blessed (v. 15), “…bless Your people Israel, and the ground which You have given us, a land flowing with milk and honey…”
God has declared Israel as a “treasured possession”. He would also (v. 19), “…set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the LORD your God, as He has spoken.”
Application – Reflecting upon what God had gone through with Israel (sin in the wilderness, among other things); God still fulfilled His promised and brought them to the Promise Land. He heard their cries in Egypt and not only removed them from the slavery, but to a land, “flowing with milk and honey” - a land that they didn’t build the houses or establish the fields of vineyards. God not only showed mercy (removing them from Egypt), He greatly blessed them.
God promised continual blessing if they were to keep His commandments. His blessings were great.
We see once again a reminder that God is in the business of raining down blessings. I feel the same way about our move from Tracy. I feel that God has prepared a home built by an outstanding craftsman (I couldn’t have done a better job myself); to awesome neighbors and just a wonderful place to live.
I thank God continually for where we live; I hope that God is blessed by us living here. I hope that I am offering my ‘first fruits’ to the Lord and that I can ask for blessings to my children and that we are a blessing to others.
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