A Special Thanksgiving Festival of Offering the Firstfruits to God
(Deuteronomy 16:9-12), (Leviticus 23:9-21)

 

In the Bible, the most pitiful person in the world is one who lives a life without gratitude. Jeremiah 17 tells us that a life that forgets God in all aspects “will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant” (Jer 17:6). It’s so lonely and frustrating! A heart without gratitude is like a desert, a bush, and a thorn. When someone without thanksgiving is unhappy or displeased, he will try to prick others like a thorn, upsetting them with every word that comes out of his mouth. Because many people today live without knowing gratitude, they do not let God into their hearts. Everything revolves around themselves. “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks” (Rom 1:21). We claim to believe in God, yet there is no gratitude in our lives. Please see today’s message as God’s desire to awaken true thanksgiving in the lives of us who have forgotten to be thankful. The Bible mentions thanksgiving many times. “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Eph 5:20). “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess 5:18). The same message is conveyed in 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, Psalm 34:1, Isaiah 63:7, Colossians 2:7, and 4:2.

Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly en larged, and the love of each one of you to ward one another grows ever greater;

Psalm 34:1 (A Psalm of David when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed.) I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall contin ually be in my mouth.

Isaiah 63:7 I shall make mention of the loving kindnesses of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has granted them according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His loving kindnesses.

Colossians 2:7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanks giving; 

In today’s world, we suffer from a disease more frightening than cancer, and that is ingratitude. Someone once said, “The happiest people are not those who possess the most, but those who are overflowing with gratitude. They live as if they have everything.” Prisons and monasteries may have similar harsh conditions, such as rough meals, uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, and hard work, but prisons are full of complaints and dissatisfaction, whereas monasteries are overflowing with gratitude and praise. If a retreat center, prayer house, or monastery is filled with complaints, it is no different from a prison. Chrysostom, an early church father, said that there is one fundamental sin in humans, and that is the sin of forgetting to be thankful. Aristotle said, “If there is a part of the human heart that ages most quickly, it is the part that feels gratitude.” A person without gratitude is one whose ability to be thankful has grown old and is nearing death. This is indeed frightening.

To ensure that people live a joyful life, God gave the Israelites three major festivals: the Passover (Deut 16:1-8), the Feast of Weeks (Deut 16:9-12), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Deut 16:13-17). These three festivals are to be observed “for all generations, forever”. It was not optional to keep or to disregard these feasts; they must absolutely be observed. 

Leviticus 23:21 On this same day you shall make a proclamation as well; you are to have a holy convocation. You shall do no la-borious work. It is to be a perpetual statute in all your dwelling places throughout your generations.

There were four common commands given by God for the three festivals.

1. Men must appear before God three times a year. This command is found in only three places in the Bible (Exod 23:17; 34:23-24; Deut 16:16). God said, “Come and see Me.” And He did not provide reasons for this command. At the same time, He promised that no one would covet or spy on their land. When His people come to see Him, He assured, “I will protect them so that their businesses would not fail, enemies would not invade, and troubles would not arise in their households.”

Some might say, “Isn’t it enough to just worship at home?” But God, knowing our nature, commanded us to come to “the place He has chosen, the place where His name dwells, where His heart and eyes are,” which is the church. He instructed us to gather at His chosen temple, to rejoice before the Lord, and to celebrate the feasts (Deut 16:10, 11, 15). Not only men, but also women and foreigners can participate in the festival (Deut 16:11-14).

The Hebrew word for “festival” (hag) means “to set out on a pilgrimage.” It refers to the pilgrimage to the temple for the festival. So even in traveling, one must return to the church. The second meaning is “to dance,” reflecting the festive nature of rejoicing in the Lord’s salvation and grace. Therefore, when celebrating the Passover, the Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of Tabernacles, one should not dwell on worries such as “I have nothing,” “My children are causing trouble,” or “My business is failing.” We all have something to eat, whether it’s given by a friend or our own burnt rice in a pot. God is telling us, “Do not come empty-handed, for everyone has something to sustain themselves.” It is a matter of attitude. God will see when we worry about not having anything to offer on a day of thanksgiving. 

In today’s main scripture, we see that God commanded that one must not eat of the new grain until one has offered the firstfruits to God during the Feast of Weeks. Whether it is raw or roasted grain, one should eat it only after presenting the harvest offering. This is God’s command. 

Leviticus 23:14 Until this same day, until you have brought in the offering of your God, you shall eat neither bread nor roasted grain nor new growth. It is to be a perpetual stat ute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. 

It’s the Feast of Weeks, and some people give just because others are giving, offering leftovers without any sincerity. Can we expect to be blessed by God with such a heart? God is Spirit and knows our hearts. Even in the world, if someone gives you something reluctantly, wouldn’t you say, “It’s okay, keep it and use it for your own needs”? How then would God view our offerings? This is mentioned in Malachi 1. If you were to present such reluctant offerings to a world leader, would they accept them? Of course not. This is written in Malachi 1. Never forget this If you offer something just because others are doing it, or out of concern for appearances without giving your heart and sincerity, it’s a serious matter. God’s ordinance is to be observed for all generations, until the end of time. How precious are His words! If you observe the Feast of Weeks properly, God will take care of your children, even without you praying for them. This is what I realized during my 3.5 years on Mount Jiri. Leviticus 23:14 struck me like a bullet, like an arrow. I wouldn’t even drink water without true thanksgiving. I repented for the way I ignorantly taught my church members in the past. I’ve stressed to my children, “Don’t just observe the Feast of Weeks as a mere formality. You must give your whole heart and sincerity.” While providing for your children, you should also consider what preparations you have made for the Feast of Weeks. It is an eternal ordinance for all generations. 

The Feast of Weeks is to be observed not at home but at the temple. Everyone should gather at the place of worship to rejoice and be glad. This is referred to as “eating and drinking before the Lord.” The temple is where God is present. This is mentioned in Deuteronomy 14:26 and 1 Chronicles 29:22. It is also referenced in Exodus 24:6-11, Genesis 31:5, and Deuteronomy 12:7.

Exodus 24:10-11 and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.

Deuteronomy 12:7 There also you and your households shall eat before the Lord your God, and rejoice in all your under-takings in which the Lord your God has blessed you.

Isn’t God the Word itself? The church is the house of God. It is here where God’s eyes, ears, and heart are present. After Solomon spent 7 years and 6 months building the temple, one week wasn’t
enough to hold the dedication service. When he prayed, God instructed him to hold the service for an additional week. When we hold dedication services, we often wonder why the sermon is so long, glancing at the time. But Solomon’s dedication service lasted seven days, then seven more additional days , with an offering of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep.

1 Kings 8:16 “Since the day that I brought My people Israel from Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there…”

1 Kings 8:29 that Your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, toward the place of which You have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ to listen to the prayer which Your servant shall pray toward this place.

1 Kings 9:3 The Lord said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication, which you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built by putting My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. 

“My heart, my ears, and my eyes will remain here. I will see the hearts of everyone who enters this place and hear their prayers.” Therefore, when you worship before God, do not do it half-heartedly. Those who worship in such a way will be cursed. Be sincere in your devotion! Just as the basic commands in the military are “Attention!” and “At ease!”—similarly, when listening to
the Word, we must focus. We must focus when we sing hymns, focus when we pray, and focus when we listen to the Word. Then the devil cannot find a foothold. In Ephesians 4:27, we are instructed to guard our hearts so that the devil cannot gain a foothold among us.

3. Never come empty-handed (Exod 23:15, 34:20, Deut 16:16)

4. “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you” (Deut 16:17)

Do not merely fill your own storehouses with the abundant blessings that the Lord has given you. Instead, ask to fill God’s storehouse and God’s house. “Give as you are able, according to your means.” Do not offer with reluctance or trembling, but with a willing and joyful heart before God. “According to your means” means giving to the fullest extent of your capacity, not just a minimal amount. It should be done with a willing heart, not a grudging one (2 Cor 9:7). In 2 Corinthians 8:3, the Macedonian believers, despite their poverty, gave generously beyond their means.

When we give from what is ours, we can become stingy. However, nothing is truly ours. Even our bodies are not our own; they belong to God. After receiving grace,King David realized, “I thought everything was mine, but it all came from God. I have come to understand this late and I am grateful.” David recognized that he had merely offered what was given to him by God with a thankful heart, and that he had done nothing on his own. Upon seeing this, what did God say? He promised that the scepter would never depart from David’s line and that the kingship would not be removed. God swore to uphold David’s dynasty forever.

1 Chronicles 29:16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours.

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.

The ability to earn money is given by God; it is not due to our own sleepless nights or our clever methods. Deuteronomy 8:18 records, “It is He who is giving you power to make wealth.” 

When it was suggested to build a temple, people asked, “Do you want to build a church in this economic downturn?” Upon hearing this, God said, “You build your own houses with fine decorations and then say it’s not the right time to build a church?” Please read Haggai 1 carefully. Haggai 2:8 says, “‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the Lord of hosts.” Yet, you think it belongs to you and say with a stingy heart that it’s not the right time to build a church. God said, “I will blow it all away.” If God decides to blow away each person’s body, household, or business, everything can vanish in an instant. The Feast of Weeks is the most solemn of occasions. The church must come first. God even said not to eat until you have given thanks to Him.

The origin of the Feast of Weeks dates back to the time of the Exodus. The Israelites lived as slaves in Egypt for about 400 years before escaping through the great leader Moses. While receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, God gave this instruction. This was 40 years before the observance of the Feast of Weeks. It was a command given in anticipation of entering the Promised Land and planting seeds there to make the first harvest. This is detailed in 2 Chronicles 8:13 and Joshua 5:10-12. The instruction was not meant to be observed in the wilderness. In the wilderness, only manna was available, so there was no opportunity for the Feast of Weeks. When did they sow seeds in the wilderness? (Exod 16:35-36; Deut 8:2-4).

The miracle of manna was performed to teach that man does not live by physical bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. In Matthew 4:4, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days, He replied to the devil, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test; man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Similarly, in John 6, Jesus said, “Even though they ate the manna given by Moses, they died; but whoever eats the living bread that comes from heaven will never die!” Before His crucifixion, in Matthew 26, during the Last Supper in the upper room, He gave bread and wine, saying, “This is my body” and “This is my blood,” referring to the bread and blood as symbols of the eternal covenant. 

Nehemiah 9:20-21 states, “You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, Your manna You did not withhold from their mouth, and You gave them water for their thirst. Indeed, forty years You provided for them in the wilderness and they were not in want; their clothes did not wear out, nor did their feet swell.” During the forty years in the wilderness, they experienced neither hunger nor malnutrition. Manna was a complete nutritional supplement. For those forty years, they did not know gratitude. It was only after they began farming that they understood. They plowed the fields, dug furrows, sowed seeds, covered them, then harvested and stored their crops in granaries. Only then did they likely realize, “The time when we ate manna was truly the best,” and belatedly give thanks. While they slept, manna would fall with the dew, accumulating up to 20 cm deep all around them. They gathered it with baskets, cooked, roasted, or boiled it, and according to the Bible, its taste was like wafers made with honey. But they were still not satisfied. They lamented that even when they were slaves in Egypt, they had meat scraps, garlic, and leeks that their masters ate, but in the wilderness, there was only manna. They complained about the lack of watermelons and melons. When they tried to kill Moses, God sent a wind to bring quail. With over two million Israelites, even if each person ate just one quail, that would be two million quails. Yet, they still did not show gratitude and continued to complain. It was only when they began farming in Canaan and faced difficulties that they realized the true value of the manna.

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Various Names of the Feast of Weeks

The Feast of Weeks has several names. It is called “Pentecost” because it occurs 50 days after Passover (Deut 16:10; Num 28:26). It is also called “Feast of Weeks” because it comes after seven weeks (Leviticus 23:15-16), and “Firstfruits” because it is the celebration of the first harvest. In Acts 2, after Jesus ascended, the disciples spent ten days earnestly praying in the upper room. On Pentecost, they received the Holy Spirit, which gave them power, authority, and courage, removing their fear. Proclaiming “Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of all mankind” with boldness and risking their lives was the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave birth to the church and made us born again. With the Holy Spirit, walking a hundred miles feels effortless, and nothing seems impossible. You will always feel invigorated. We need to receive the Holy Spirit. As stated in Acts 1:8, I bless all the saints in the name of the Lord to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Counting 50 days from Passover, whether consciously or unconsciously, is a beautiful symbol. The period of harvest is set by God and established according to the heavenly calendar, which makes the Feast of Weeks a precious occasion. Who is the “firstfruits”? Jesus. In John 12:24, Jesus says that unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces many seeds. Jesus came as that single grain of wheat, and through His sacrifice on the cross, many have come to believe in Him. Reflecting on how Jesus used Old Testament scriptures
to prophesy this, it shows how blessed we are to believe in Jesus.

The Firstfruits! Jesus is the Firstfruits. According to 1 Corinthians 15:20-21, Jesus is the Firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, having broken the power of death and risen from the dead. We are the next fruits. This is to awaken us to this truth and confirm the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. How precious it is! As the Firstfruits, Jesus’ victory over death and His resurrection set the example, and we receive that blessing and grace. The Lord’s death is our death, and His resurrection is our resurrection. This brings us to life.

In John 11:25-26, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Just as Jesus spoke to Martha and Mary, through the Feast of Weeks, we should understand that the Lord’s death is our death and His resurrection is our resurrection. This assurance should give us confidence. When facing death, we see how fear can indicate a lack of faith. It is unsettling to see people trembling and fearing death. After believing in Jesus for decades, we should not face our final moments with such fear. The Lord’s death is our death. He bore our sins, died for them, and broke the power of death through His resurrection. As the Son of God, He came to save us. With a peaceful heart, we should say, “Thank you, God. At the moment I close my eyes, I will immediately enter Your eternal kingdom, a place without sorrow, pain, or worry, as described in Revelation.” Gather your family and ask them to sing hymns for you, and then leave them with a final message: “If you want to meet me again, make sure you believe in Jesus.” The reason for our worries is that we are outside of Christ. It is something we will face soon. Prepare yourself for that kingdom from now on. Ask, “Lord, grant me faith where I lack it, and give me the grace to believe in Your Word as it is written in the Bible.” How wonderful it is to have that assurance! We know that the time is short. Pray, “Lord, I commit my wife and children into Your hands. Bless our family with the faith to believe in Jesus, grant wisdom and understanding to our children, and fill them with Your Word and grace. Make us great individuals who can work for You until the end, without sinning.” We should pray earnestly before leaving this world. Even if we die, we shall live! It is certain.

Next, this perishable body will not all die in the end. It will be transformed into an imperishable state with the last hidden manna. Then, Jesus will return. 

1 Corinthians 15:50-51 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,

The final trumpet sound is the word, and in an instant, the transformation of both body and spirit will occur. The prophet Isaiah foretold this. It is not bound by time or space. Are Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10 a lie? The prophet Isaiah said that a 100-year-old man would be like a child. Please understand the message in 1 Corinthians 15. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom. We must be spiritually transformed. After Jesus’ resurrection, when did He enter through closed doors? He appeared to the trembling disciples and said, “Peace be with you.” Although the spirit has no flesh and bones, it exists. The resurrection involves both spirit and body—a spiritual resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:52-55 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

“O death, where is your sting?” In the end, life will swallow up death. Believe that this will happen not in the sky or heaven, but right here on this earth where we live! Philippians 3:20-21 speaks of this. It is not just mentioned once or twice. Jesus said this six times. He declared that if His words dwell within us, we will never see death (John 8:51).

The Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of Firstfruits, signifies Jesus as the Firstfruits, represented by the single grain of wheat. If a grain of wheat does not fall to the ground, it cannot produce many fruits, but if it falls to the ground, it will produce many seeds, therefore much fruit (John 12:24). Consider how countless millions of people have gained life through Jesus alone. As you observe the Feast of Weeks, I hope you deeply reflect on Jesus, who is the grain, and remember how He was crushed and ground into flour and became unrecognizable, battered for our sake. I hope in the name of Jesus that everyone observes the Feast of Weeks with a heart full of thanksgiving. 

“The Feast of Weeks, when you bring the firstfruits of your harvest as an offering to Me, is a day when you must cease all work and hold a holy assembly” (Numbers 28:26, Common Translation). God promised to bless descendants for generations if they observe this. There will be no poor among you. You will receive blessings in everything you do, and you will be blessed as you walk upon the land. During the Feast of Weeks, despite being a harvest festival, offerings such as grain offerings, burnt offerings, peace offerings, and sin offerings are made to God. These offerings represent maintaining a relationship with God and dedication (burnt offering), spiritual purity and gratitude (grain offering), and fellowship with God (peace offering). It is said that if you maintain fellowship with God, He will reveal all His secrets to you, as He did with Abraham. This is the essence of the peace offering. When you offer the first sheaf of grain during the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:10-14), not only should it inspire and move your heart, but also consider that what was once blocked can be transformed into prosperity even today. Neglecting this feast is a serious matter. If you say, “Feast of Weeks? You go if you want to, I have other things to do today,” it could have serious consequences. Life is short, 70–80 years at most, and attending church throughout the year is limited. For example, there are 52 Sundays, and if you attend on Wednesdays, it increases to over 100 times, and with Thursdays, it’s about 150 times a year.

Those who are stingy and reluctant before God are like the ten spies among the twelve who despised and spoke ill of God’s word. They did not realize that this is a sin. True gratitude during the Feast of Weeks, with genuine thankfulness before God, should place you on the side of faithful believers like Joshua and Caleb. Being stingy and dismissive of the Feast is wrong. The ten spies, who did not believe, met a grim fate. They discouraged others, causing them to doubt and complain. When the ten spies reported negatively, Joshua and Caleb said, “We can surely overcome; we must go up,” but the other ten opposed them, declaring, “We will all die.” This report led the entire congregation of Israel, over two million people, to weep throughout the night.

Numbers 14:1-2 Then all the congrega tion lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!” 

The next day, God struck the ten spies with a terrible death. After their deaths, the two million people must have been terrified, realizing, “Joshua and Caleb were right. It’s disastrous to stand on the side of disbelief.” According to biblical apocrypha, the ten spies fell dead suddenly in front of many people, their bodies rotting, foaming at the mouth, and their eyes bursting out, dying in a horrific manner. Only those ten men suffered such a fate.

Please reflect deeply on the significance of the Feast of Weeks. We must understand its meaning. Consider how, after many years of not fully comprehending its meaning, you are now able to appreciate it. Let this realization lead you to offer in Feast of Weeks with a grateful and generous heart. Believe that being in the presence of God, eating and drinking, and hearing the true Word of God is a blessed place. With a thankful heart, may you all observe the holy Feast of Weeks in the name of the Lord.

Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, in Kadesh Barnea, Moses sent one leader from each of the twelve tribes as spies to scout out the land of Canaan. After 40 days, upon their return, Joshua and Caleb, full of faith, declared that with God’s help they could surely conquer and possess the land of Canaan. However, the ten other spies spoke with disbelief, leading the Israelites to weep throughout the night, beat their chests, and complain about leaving Egypt. They even plotted to kill Moses and the two faithful spies. In response, You sent fire to quench their rebellion and decisively punished the ten spies who gave a false report. As we observe the Feast of Weeks, let us be like Joshua and Caleb, steadfast in faith. Protect us from joining the ranks of those who disbelieve, and help us to stand firm in our trust and understanding. Please grant us a spirit of enlightenment and help us fully grasp the significance of this holy occasion.

As we gather to observe the Feast of Weeks in Your holy temple, let us do so with reverence, beauty, and gratitude. May there be no trace of reluctance or stinginess in our hearts. Help us to consistently bring glory to You while ensuring that no one causes You any disappointment. Guide us with Your Holy Spirit and let Your will be done. We offer this prayer with thanksgiving, in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Rev. Abraham Park
July 1, 2007
Feast of Weeks Thanksgiving Sunday
(3rd Service)

 

*This post can also be read in 'Champyungan'. (http://champyungan.com)