I personally believe that the feast of first fruits is one of the most neglected of all the appointed times. However, this day represents the resurrection of our Messiah and promises our own resurrection! It only makes sense that our enemy would like to keep this appointed time hidden and has sought to replace it with Easter.
Many Torah-observant families are fearful of this day because it takes place on a Sunday and because Christianity celebrates Easter on this day. However, this is the appointed time of YHVH! He wants to meet with you on this day, Sunday or not, and He has so much hope to give you through this appointed time. I urge all of us to claim it for our mighty King!
Start with Scripture
We recommend starting by studying each of the following Scripture passages:
- Leviticus 23:9-14 (and also continue by reading verses 15-16)
- Psalm 24:1, Exodus 23:14-19, Ezekiel 44:30
- Psalm 78:51, Psalm 105:36
- Matthew 27:50-53 (Who else was resurrected at Yeshua’s death?)
- Romans 8:23, Ephesians 1:14, 2 Corinthians 1:22
- Romans 11:13-16
- 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 (Note vs. 20, 23)
- James 1:18
- Revelation 14:4
Studies by Other Authors:
- From Anne Elliott:
- The Significance of Understanding First Fruits (Schalk and Elsa Klee)
- From Christine Miller:
- The Wavesheaf Ceremony (Harold Smith)
- The Spring Festivals (Samuele Bacchiocchi)
- The Resurrection of Messiah (Hoshana Rabbah)
- Nisan 17 Odds: One in 783,864,876,960,000,000 (Robin Sampson)
- Jesus’ Resurrection in First Fruits (Robin Sampson)
How to Celebrate
In our home, we celebrate the resurrection of Yeshua on the Feast of First Fruits, we give a monetary offering in remembrance of the tithes given in Israel, and we have yummy food and enjoy each other. Scripture does not say that this is a sabbath from work.
- Firstfruits Menu (Christine Miller)
- When we were growing up, my parents would remind us each day of the events of Yeshua’s death and resurrection during the week leading up to “Resurrection Sunday.” I still think this is a good idea to do with our children. See our guide to the events of that week.
- In our home, we enjoy eating recipes containing barley on this day. We also enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. If you enjoy music, sing every song about the resurrection and new life that you can think of.
Please Add Your Ideas!
We would love it if you would also add your ideas, tips, resources, and links in the comments below. Thank you!
Views: 571
Hello, I’m interested in learning more. I’ve been a Christian for many years but never celebrated any of the Jewish holidays. Christmas & Easter like most. Recently I’ve become very close to my Lord and feel the holy spirt leading me to find out more. Everyone has such different options on what is right so I’m asking can a non Jewish person celebrate your holidays and there are many different things i read online. Is there instruction on how to celebrate them and when? Thank you so much for this opportunity to understand more.
Hi, Andrea, would it surprise you to know that I am a “Gentile,” not a Jew by birth? I was raised a Baptist, and when I was in my 30s, the Father really drew me to read my Bible starting at Genesis 1, all the way through, as quickly as I could, in an effort to try to “do Bible things in Bible ways,” as my dear friend likes to say. It has been quite a journey. I share some of my testimony here:
https://anneelliott.com/2015/01/love-letter/
Here is a free e-book on all the feasts of Israel, and I hope it’s a blessing to you:
https://homeschoolingtorah.com/the-biblical-feasts/
I love all the resources, recommendations, and links. We have recently joined a group that is doing a study online about the Biblical Feast and this is what our Bible focus during the week is until we have read/studied/worked through them. Thank you for all you do.
My question is would we celebrate this during Passover and not when the Christian Church is celebrating it? Would this celebration of First fruits be at different times every year separate from the churches time of Easter? Especially since their timeline is a bit off with him dying on a friday and being raised sunday? That doesn’t account for 3 days and nights in the grave, which is how he said we would know he was the Messiah so that’s pretty important!
Sometimes we celebrate at the same time as Christianity, and sometimes we are very different. What matters is that we are doing it at the time He said to do it — whether anyone else is celebrating then or not. Here is an image that helps my mind make sense of it: https://anneelliott.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/three_circles.png
You are right that the 3 days/3 nights is absolutely essential. Here is a link to the timeline of the year Yeshua died. That year, Passover would have been celebrated on a Wednesday, the same time he died. Then He would have been in the grave three days and three nights, rising on the first day of the week, likely right after sundown on what we call Saturday night. https://homeschoolingtorah.com/yeshuas-death-and-resurrection/