The Feast of Weeks goes by many different names in the scriptures, day of Pentecost, Feast of Harvest, and Firstfruits. The Feast of Weeks is one of the hardest days to calculate because it is the only feast that is counted over a month and two thirds. In the Old Testament we find detailed instructions for calculating this day. This was a day when the barley was out of the fields and the wheat was coming out of the fields. Perhaps a rest at the end of the spring harvest. A time to come together with brethren and celebrate before Yahweh for the bountiful harvest he has given Israel. This thank full time in the New Testament is when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the followers of Yahweh.
The Holy Spirit is the force of Yahweh in our lives. The Holy Spirit is here today working in the brethren and helping to prepare the way for the return on Yahshua the Messiah. The firstfruits are to be resurrected first and the second death will have no affect on them. This is the resurrection that we should strive to have a part in with Yahshua the Messiah. We must strive to keep all Yahweh’s laws perfectly as Yahshua kept them holy we too must keep this time holy. Let’s start by looking at the timing on the Feast of Weeks.
Timing
The question of figuring out when Pentecost is to be kept may be more confusing than most of the feasts because it is not counted directly from a new moon. The Feast of Weeks is counted from the waving of the sheaf. The sheaf is waved during the Feast of Unleavened Bread on the day after the first holy day.
And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. ‘He shall wave the sheaf before Yahweh, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. (Leviticus 23:9-11 NKJV)
The Wave Sheaf as we see in Leviticus 23:11 is when a sheaf of barley is waved before Yahweh. The sheaf is a firstfruit of the harvest and is presented as a offering to Yahweh of the upcoming harvest. This is in accord with what Yahweh asks for in Exodus 13:2, 13:12,13:15, 34:19-24, and Numbers 18:15 for the firstborn of all flesh and the Wave Sheaf is the firstfruits, the first product of the land. It was a sign of the blessing that Yahweh has given Israel. For anything to be fruitful it must be a blessing of Yahweh. So whether it is flesh or vegetation the first part of it is to be given to Yahweh. With the Feast of Weeks we are celebrating this blessing and thanking Yahweh for the bountiful harvest. Calculation of this time is specifically fifty days from the Wave Sheaf to the Feast of Weeks. Let’s read Leviticus 23 starting in verse 15:
‘And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. ‘Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to Yahweh. ‘You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to Yahweh. ‘And you shall offer with the bread seven lambs of the first year, without blemish, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be as a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to Yahweh. ‘Then you shall sacrifice one kid of the goats as a sin offering, and two male lambs of the first year as a sacrifice of a peace offering. ‘The priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before Yahweh, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to Yahweh for the priest. ‘And you shall proclaim on the same day that it is a holy convocation to you. You shall do no customary work on it. It shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I amYahweh your Elohim.’” (Leviticus 23:15-22 NKJV)
We find here that seven Sabbaths or weeks shall be completed after the Wave Sheaf. This can also be figured by counting fifty days from the Wave Sheaf. The following chart shows both of these methods used side by side. This is a chart for this Biblical year as it corresponds with the secular year of 2002.
We see in verse 21 of Leviticus 23 that the Feast of Weeks is to be a holy convocation. A time when all Yahweh’s people are to come together keep a feast unto Yahweh. This is one of the three times that all of Israel is to come together.
“You shall count seven weeks for yourself; begin to count the seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain. “Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to Yahweh your Elohim with the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give as Yahweh your Elohim blesses you. “You shall rejoice before Yahweh your Elohim, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among you, at the place where Yahweh your Elohim chooses to make His name abide. “And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. (Deuteronomy 16:9-12 NKJV)
In Deuteronomy we find a little clarification of when the Wave Sheaf Offering was made. It was to be made before the sickle was put to the grain or in the beginning. This was during the month of Abib which literally means the month of green ears. So the grain was not yet completely dried out. Recognizing the time that the feast is to be kept we must look more closely at what was to be done. Pentecost signifies the end of a harvest and the beginning of much more.
Old Testament
In Israel originally everyone went to Jerusalem for three feasts every year. The first feast is the Feast of Unleavened Bread which represented the cleansing of false leaven from our lives. Leaven representing doctrine has to be rightly divided and by coming together the brethren were able to discuss the scriptures and fellowship. The second feast is the the Feast of Firstfruits which would of been a major celebration because the spring grain harvest was complete. This feast represents pouring out of blessings just as in the New Testament the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. The third celebration is the seventh month feasts. The seventh month feasts are Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Tabernacles.
The Feast of Weeks was a time that we are not to appear before Yahweh empty. It is a time that we give to Yahweh a tribute above and beyond our tithe. (Exodus 23:13-17) It is also a time that even the poor are given a blessing. As we read back Leviticus 23 the corners of the fields were to be left for the poor so that they might also share in the blessing of Yahweh. Something important to note here in Exodus 23:13 is that during these times we are not to even mention the names of other deities.
“And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other deities, nor let it be heard from your mouth. “Three times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year: “You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty); “and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field. “Three times in the year all your males shall appear before Yahweh EL. (Exodus 23:13-17 NKJV)
In Exodus 23:19 we find that it is again mentioned that the firstfruits of the land is to brought into the house of Yahweh. This is in addition to firstfruits of animals as we will see here in Exodus 34.
“The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of Yahweh your Elohim. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk. (Exodus 23:19 NKJV)
“All that open the womb are Mine, and every male firstborn among your livestock, whether ox or sheep. “But the firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb. And if you will not redeemhim, then you shall break his neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before Me empty-handed. “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest. “And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year’s end. “Three times in the year all your men shall appear before Yahweh, Yahweh the Elohim of Israel. “For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before Yahweh your Elohim three times in the year. (Exodus 34:19-24 NKJV)
It is often a hard thing to leave worldly possessions behind and leave for the feast but we find that above in Exodus 34 that Yahweh will protect His people and there possessions during the feasts. It is comforting to know that Yahweh is looking out for us when we go to worship Him. It has been said by many brethren that it is a trial before the feasts but once they reach the feast they feel so comforted. The blessings for keeping the Feast of Weeks with the brethren is immeasurable.
The sacrifices under the Levitical priesthood can be found in Numbers 28:26-31 among other places. We know that the patriarchs kept the feast of weeks. The following scripture says that Solomon offered the scarifies that Yahweh required in the law.
Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of Yahweh which he had built before the vestibule, according to the daily rate, offering according to the commandment of Moses, for the Sabbaths, the New Moons, and the three appointed yearly feasts–the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. (2 Chronicles 8:12-13 NKJV)
Although we don’t sacrifice animals today it is important to know that the magnitude of the sacrifice. The sacrifices that were required for the Feast of Weeks was in addition to the daily sacrifice. The sacrifices for the Wave Sheaf offering included the waving of barley before Yahweh. The waving of the sheaf of barley as we discussed earlier was important for the count to Pentecost. Another important point to understand is the difference between the barley and wheat.
Wheat vs. Barley
Barley is a great grain for animals but for people the preferred grain is wheat. Barley has a long beard which is hard to separate out of the grain. The strands of barley’s beard can get stuck in an animals mouth because it is sharp. Wheat’s beard is shorted and is less sharp. It is easier to separate out the grain from the heads when thrashing wheat. The Feast of Firstfruits is after the wheat harvest. The wheat according to some references ripens only two weeks after the barley is ripe. For the grain to be ripe it would have to be golden brown and almost completely dried out. If any moisture is left in the grain it will spoil. Once the grains were harvested and dried they could be ground into a fine flour.
We find in Exodus 9:31-32 that the hail destroyed the barley and flax. This is an example that gives us an idea of what time of the year Abib takes place. It also shows the difference between the seasons of barley and wheat. The flax and barley were destroyed because they were both in a late stage of growth. The wheat and rye were not destroyed because they had not yet matured.
Leviticus 27:16 shows the value of barley seed and what a person’s land would be worth if he donated it Yahweh. The value of a homer, six bushels, of barley seed was 50 shekels which is the equivalent of $27.50 in 1910 CE.
Barley and wheat were considered a sign of the fruitfulness of the land. We find in Deuteronomy 8:8 that the land that Yahweh promised to Jacob was very fruitful and Yahweh’s people would never have a problem finding food as long as they continued to follow Yahweh.
“You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so Yahweh your Elohim chastens you. “Therefore you shall keep the commandments of Yahweh your Elohim, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. “For Yahweh your Elohim is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; “a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; “a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. “When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless Yahweh your Elohim for the good land which He has given you. “Beware that you do not forget Yahweh your Elohim by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, (Deuteronomy 8:5-11 NKJV)
A traditional story read during the Feast of Weeks is the story of Ruth. As mentioned earlier the corners of the fields and what was dropped is to be left for the poor. Ruth lost her husband and returned to Israel to find a husband. Yahweh blessed her with a husband and food to eat. Whatever Boaz’s reapers dropped and didn’t cut Ruth was allowed to take in. Boaz even ordered his people to drop wheat for Ruth. Ruth did quite well for Naomi and herself. Boaz appreciated her so much that he later married her. Boaz allowed Ruth to reap throughout the spring harvest. (Ruth 2:23) We find that Yahshua is a descendent of Ruth. Please take the time to read Ruth.
Wheat was desired and Asaph even sung a song about wheat as a reward from Yahweh. That Israel’s enemies should be destroyed and Israel’s belly be filled with wheat and the honey that flows from the rock. In Psalm 81 Asaph is saying here that if Israel just followed Yahweh he would have filled their stomachs.
Psalms 81:16 He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.”
Psalms 147:14 He makes peace in your borders, And fills you with the finest wheat.
Jeremiah speaks of the consequences that Israel reaped thorns where the planted wheat.
Jeremiah 12:13 They have sown wheat but reaped thorns; They have put themselves to painbut do not profit. But be ashamed of your harvest Because of the fierce anger of Yahweh.”
The idea of fruits from our labors should not be a surprise since Jeremiah wrote this and Yahshua conveyed the same message. (Luke 8:5-15) Pentecost is a time when we can determine what fruits are and whether we wish to continue down the same road. The Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost and is here today as long as we don’t deny Yahweh’s word and are diligently following in Yahshua’s footsteps.
New Testament
One of the places in the scriptures that we find that Pentecost was fulfilled is in Acts 2. The disciples came together for the Feast of Firstfruits as in the Old Testament and as we do today. We find that they sat down with one accord and the Holy Spirit came on each of them like a rushing wind. It appear to each of them as a cloven tongue which means that it was a split tongue.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. (Acts 2:1-3 RSV)
The Holy Spirit gave each of them the ability to speak and the people from near and far heard the disciples speak in their own language. It was a blessing of hearing because the people could hear the Word in their own language. So when the disciples where discussing the scriptures the multitude was amazed that not only did they hear their own language spoken but they heard the scriptures being spoken.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of Yahweh.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” (Acts 2:4-12 RSV)
As we see in verse 11 some among the multitude say that they hear the mighty works of Yahweh in their own tongues. This is an amazing show of Yahweh’s power. These people were so impressed that many of them were baptized. Three thousand were baptized that day according to verse 41. It is also important to note that here in Acts 2 the are speaking from the Old Testament.
“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit. “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth–blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of Yahweh come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be delivered; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as Yahweh hath said, and in the remnant whom Yahweh shall call. (Joel 2:28-32 KJ21)
This scripture from Joel is one that the disciples use here in Acts 2:17-21. Joel speaks of the last days before Yahshua’s return. This passage is one of many that point out the importance of calling on Yahweh’s name. Yahweh will deliver them that call on His name. It is only a small remnant who call on Yahweh and who produce the fruit of Galatians 5:22-23. In a generation of Jews that would not use the sacred name this must have been motivating. They were full of the Holy Spirit. Being led by the spirit many heard them and were pricked in there hearts.
Holy Spirit
This represented a change in way the Holy Spirit was given. David cried to Yahweh not to take the Holy Spirit away from him. It is important to realize that before Yahshua’s sacrifice the Holy Spirit came and left. Now with people that were cleansed the Holy Spirit could stay and help men and women discern the scriptures.
Psalms 51:11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
John the Baptist prepared the way for Yahshua. He did the work of Eliyah and returned many of the people back to Yahweh. The baptism of Yahshua changed the people through their heart. The desire of the people was not on pleasing their brother only. The baptism of the Holy Spirit changed men to follow with their whole existence. (Mark 1:8)
Acts 28:25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of Yahweh has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
The Holy Spirit provides us with something that brethren before Messiah didn’t have all the time. The ability to discern the scriptures and the fruit that should flow from us should be like a river over running its banks. We unfortunately may be guilty of quenching the spirit and not allowing it to grow in us to a point that we are acceptable to be firstfruits. The first resurrection is the resurrection that we pray to be a part of. The firstfruits will be a kingdom of priests. Image what the kingdom of Yahweh would be like.
Better Tomorrow
The future is bright but we must strive to perfect one another and to do that we must start with our heart. Our desires lead to our destruction if they are not for Yahweh. We must search the scriptures until we are sure. Sure that we are doing our best to serve almighty Yahweh.
Now if Messiah is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Messiah is not risen. And if Messiah is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of Yahweh, because we have testified of Yahweh that He raised up Messiah, whom He did not raise up—-if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Messiah is not risen. And if Messiah is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Messiah have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Messiah, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Messiah is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Messiah all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits, afterward those who are Messiah’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to Yahweh the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. (Revelation 20:14) For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that Yahweh may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:12-28 NKJV)
Revelation 2:11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the ekklesia. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”‘
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of Yahweh and of Messiah, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
The kingdom is coming and with each passing second it is that much closer. Those who serve Yahweh through the coming tribulation and through out their lives are heirs to the kingdom
Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, Yahweh sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, Yahweh hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of Yahweh through Messiah. (Galatians 4:1-7)
I pray that we become heirs to the kingdom with Messiah a kingdom that we can only imagine its splendor. A future with no more death and no more pain. A world of people entirely dedicated to working together for Almighty Yahweh. The kingdom will be greater than anything we will ever know in this existence. With sound of a trump Yahshua will return and re-establish rule of this world to almighty Yahweh.
Conclusion
Pentecost is a time of thanking Yahweh for the many blessings that he has given us and our brethren. Our entire ekklesia benefits from serving Yahweh. Yahweh deals righteously with His people. The ekklesia is made up of different parts but none greater than the head Messiah. Lets take this time to thank Yahweh for his blessings striving always to become the firstfruits.