Feast of Firstfruits Also Known As Reishit Observed 16 Nisan March/April Scriptures Leviticus 23:9-14 Hebrew

Feast of Firstfruits Passover Week ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. He is to wave the sheaf before the Lord so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath.’ (Leviticus 23:10-11) Passover Week Day 1 Passover Day 2 Unleavened Bread Day 3 Unleavened Bread & Firstfruits Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8

Feast of Firstfruits On the day of Passover, a marked sheaf of grain was bundled and left standing in the field. On the next day (the first day of Unleavened Bread) the sheaf was cut and prepared for offering on the third day. On this third day (Firstfruits) the priest waved the sheaf before the Lord. A prayer of thanksgiving (Deuteronomy 26:1-10). The ‘Counting of the Omer’ – Day 50 was the fourth feast, Shavuot … known as Pentecost

Feast of Firstfruits On this day – the Feast of Firstfruits – this also happened: Joshua 5:10-12 … the manna stopped Esther 3:12-5:7 … Esther risked her life to save the Jewish people from annihiliation 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 … ‘But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.’ Leviticus 11:23 ... ‘it will be accepted on your behalf’ – we are accepted in the Beloved Message: Put God First in everything!

Feast of Pentecost Also Known As Shavuot/Feast of Weeks or Pentecost Observed 6 Sivan May/June Scriptures Leviticus 23:15-21 and Numbers 28:26-31 Hebrew

Feast of Pentecost ‘From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord.’ (Leviticus 23:15–16) The days from Passover up to Pentecost are counted at the weekly Sabbath services Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Passover Shavuot means ‘weeks’ … Pentecost means ’50’ This is one of 3 ‘annual’ pilgrimage feasts

Feast of Pentecost ‘From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, baked with yeast, as a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord ...’ (Leviticus 23:17) AD140 … the focus changed from a harvest festival to a celebration of the giving of the Torah – it was known as Matan Torah to recognise the day when God gave the Law to Moses on Sinai It marks the birth of the nation of Israel

Feast of Pentecost Shavuot traditions … Reading of the book of Ruth Observant Jews stay up all night to study and discuss the Torah Eating of dairy food – especially cheesecake and cheese blintzes

Feast of Pentecost ‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place …’ (Acts 2:1) The first Pentecost – birth of Israel as a nation The second Pentecost – birth of the Church Two loaves – Jewish and Gentile believers One offering ... echoes of Ephesians 2:14-18 The Holy Spirit came, he baptised, he filled, and he spoke ... all in Acts 2:1-4 3,000 died under the Law … 3,000 saved under grace

Feast of Pentecost Giving of the Law Giving of the Spirit Exodus 19:1–20:20 Acts 2 Spiritual birthday of Israel Spiritual birthday of the Church, the body of Messiah Traditionally believed to have happened about 50 days after the Israelites left Egypt (Exodus 19:1) Believers in Jesus were gathered together on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after they celebrated Passover Fire and noise as God descended Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:16–18) A violent, rushing wind and tongues as fire descended upon the believers 3,000 people died because of their idolatry (Exodus 32:28) 3,000 people were made spiritually alive because they believed in Jesus Law given to instruct the Israelites Spirit given to empower and guide the Church – the body of Messiah – made up of believing Jews and Gentiles

the Servant Songs of Isaiah’ We’re coming back …! Monday 21 September – Wednesday 23 September 2020 (dv) @ Icthus Café, High Street, Lurgan, BT66 8AA The Jewish Bible Speaks Today: ‘Let’s talk about Jesus – the Servant Songs of Isaiah’