Following the Hebrew Calendar to calculate the Feast Days (Holy Days), like our walk, is an ever-refining process. Thanks to the Holy Spirit working through a close friend and brother, I was recently challenged with the current understanding I had regarding the calculations of First Fruits. I want to commend the brother who shared this topic with sincerity, truth and love; therefore it was super effective!
We should be ready to lend a hand, not seek to tear down
Until recently, I aligned with the understanding that First Fruits occurs on the day after the normal weekly Sabbath that fell within the week of Unleavened bread.
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When you come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before YHWH, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it
Leviticus 23:10-11
The argument is that in Exodus 12, the first day of Unleavened Bread is portrayed as a Sabbath, due to the restrictions listed, however, it is not specifically mentioned as a Sabbath:
And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you
Exodus 12:16
Here’s an example of our calendar before the change, with the understanding of waiting for the normal weekly Sabbath:
Some, against this type of calculation can rightly point out that 3 days and 3 nights (for Messiah’s resurrection) cannot work in this scenario. Now, it is important to mention, that due to the fluctuation of the Hebrew calendar, First Fruits does fall in line with the 3 days and 3 nights on various years, just not this one. Here’s the issue, if we only look at Leviticus 23 in the Masoretic Text, we may miss something interesting to note.
Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, When ye shall enter into the land which I give you, and reap the harvest of it, then shall ye bring a sheaf, the first-fruits of your harvest, to the priest; and he shall lift up the sheaf before YHWH, to be accepted for you. On the morrow of the first day the priest shall lift it up
Leviticus 23:10-11 Greek Septuagint
The Greek Septuagint has gained popularity in recent years, offering insights to the accepted canon (bible) during the times of Messiah and the apostles. Although I have not lifted this manuscript above the Masoretic, I certainly don’t think we should turn a blind eye to it; weighing the evidence in the balance.
The heavier the weight, the bigger impact it makes on the scale
With that being said, the Greek sheds some light on the conversation, placing a hefty weight on the scales, yet there’s more to consider.
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal and kept the Passover on the 14th day in the plains of Jericho. They ate the old gain of the land on the day after Passover (the 15th), and the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten of the old grain (manna ceased on 16th) neither had the children of Israel manna any more, but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year (aka first fruits had passed so they could eat)
Joshua 5:10-12
This scenario with Joshua and the Israelite’s is important regarding the timing, showing us First Fruits lands on the 16th of the 1st month. This also must coincide with the resurrection account.
The key to this age old debate lies within the timeline, when the 3 day – 3 night count starts
The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised .β β Luke 9:22
The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. β Luke 24:13β35
OTHER WITNESS
“Church Father” or Historian writings are not scripture, but shouldn’t be disregarded all together
A historian living during the time of Yahusha
But on the second day of unleavened bread, which is the sixteenth day of the month, they first partake of the fruits of the earth, for before that day they do not touch them. And while they suppose it proper to honor Elohim, from whom they obtain this plentiful provision, in the first place, they offer the first-fruits of their barley, and that in the manner following
Antiquities of the Jews – Book 3 – Chapter 10
Speak with the sons of Israel, and say to them: When you have entered into the land which I give you, and you reap the harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest unto the priest; And he shall uplift the sheaf before Yahuah π€π€ π€π€ to be accepted for you. After the first festival day of Passover
Leviticus 23:10-11 Aramaic Targums
Consider this video was not made to put down any other calendar or interpretation, but to clearly vocalize a change in understanding that I have at this time. Much love to you regardless of the calendar you keep, as Messiah Yahusha through the Ruach (Holy Spirit) is what binds us together π
I therefore, the prisoner of the Master, urge you to walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Messiah: until we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Messiah
Ephesians 4:1-4,12-13
Link to the 2025 Feast Day page
