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“HERE IS WHAT I HAVE SEEN TO BE GOOD AND FITTING: TO EAT, TO DRINK AND ENJOY ONESELF IN ONE’S LABOR IN WHICH HE TOILS UNDER THE SUN DURING THE FEW YEARS OF LIFE WHICH G OD HAS GIVEN HIM; FOR THIS IS HIS REWARD.” ECCLESIASTES 5:18. FIRST FRUITS TO GOD.
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“HERE IS WHAT I HAVE SEEN TO BE GOOD AND FITTING: TO EAT, TO DRINK AND ENJOY ONESELF IN ONE’S LABOR IN WHICH HE TOILS UNDER THE SUN DURING THE FEW YEARS OF LIFE WHICH GOD HAS GIVEN HIM; FOR THIS IS HIS REWARD.” ECCLESIASTES 5:18
Jehovah commanded Israel what to do with their first fruits. • “The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. . . You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God. . . . The first offspring from every womb belongs to Me, and all your male livestock, the first offspring from cattle and sheep.” Exodus 22:29; 23:19; 34:19, 26
Jehovah commanded Israel what to do with their first fruits. • Commandments in the Law connected to first fruits: • Feasts of Harvest and of Ingatherings (Exodus 23:16) • Offerings (Leviticus 23:10, 17; Numbers 18:12-13; 28:26) • Redemption of the firstborn (Exodus 13:12-13; Leviticus 27:26-27)
Jehovah commanded Israel what to do with their first fruits. • Israel did not always give their first fruits to God. • King Hezekiah’s reforms (2 Chronicles 31:4-6) • Governor Nehemiah’s oversight (Nehemiah 10:34-37) • A prophecy of restoration (Ezekiel 20:33-44)
Christians are God’s first fruits (James 1:16-18). • The Father’s first fruits are the firstborn ones of truth. • Revelation 14:4; 1 Peter 1:18-19 • “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Christians are God’s first fruits (James 1:16-18). • “Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;…” (Proverbs 3:9) • First of ourselves • 2 Corinthians 8:5; Colossians 3:23 • First of our love and devotion • Matthew 22:37; 10:37; 1 John 2:15
Christians are God’s first fruits (James 1:16-18). • “Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;…” (Proverbs 3:9) • First of our time • Ephesians 5:16, 17 • First of our income and possessions • Luke 12:15; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 1 Timothy 6:17, 18
Christians are God’s first fruits (James 1:16-18). • First fruits are the first of the fruit implying more blessings to come. • Jesus is “the firstborn of many brethren” (Romans 8:28-30). • Jesus’ resurrection is “the first fruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23).