Feast of Weeks

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 redeem him, 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 pain but 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.

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