S158P4 – Harvest imagery: first things first
Jer. 2:1-3
The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, thus says the LORD, ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest. All who ate of it incurred guilt; disaster came upon them, declares the LORD.‘”
When we give our tithe, our ten percent, it serves several purposes. This act of giving symbolizes our admission that what we have is not ours but belongs to the Lord. We recognize that we are merely stewards, and we give him what is already his in obedience. This act of giving also forces us to trust God. We give God ten percent and trust that He can do more with the remaining ninety percent than we could have done with all of it. We also give this as our firstfruits, the first and best portion, which is a sign of faith. We give to him first as a way of thanking him for the remaining abundance. Even if we give him everything we have and leave ourselves with nothing, we are thanking him for what we know He still will bring as our provision.
When it comes to the great harvest of souls, Israel is God’s firstfruits. The metaphor might be lost on us if we focus on the fact that a firstfruits offering is a sacrifice. This does not mean that God will sacrifice his chosen people, but it does speak of the harvest to come. The good news of the gospel is first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. [Rom. 1:16] There is a progression to the harvest, and the salvation of Jewish souls who believe in Christ as Messiah will be just the tip of the iceberg. Being the firstfruits, they signal that there is a larger harvest remaining. If Israel is the firstfruits, there is a mighty portion then to be harvested from the rest of the nations, but no souls will be harvested until Isreal is first gathered and prepared.
People often speak of looking for signs that Christ is on his way. Logically, each day which passes is one day closer to his return. However, if we are looking for clear signals, one which we cannot overlook is the return of Israel’s children to her Lord. God’s nation of chosen people must see revival and salvation, and I believe it will be an obvious sign. As Zion gains the revelation of Jesus Christ and joins his Church, we will see the preparation of souls for the firstfruits of the harvest to come. If we want Jesus to return and collect his ransom, we must desire for Israel to see salvation. Father, soften the hearts of Israel that they would be receptive to revelation from your Spirit and turn to Messiah even now.