Exodus 23
ScriptureExodus 23:19 “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.Observation - What does it say?In the midst of all God’s commands the Israelites, he gives them specific instructions for observing 3 different annual festivals. Each festival is to celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness to them – remembering how he delivered them from Egypt, celebrating the beginning of the harvest that year and giving thanks at the end of the year for all the crops God blessed them with. At each they would bring animal sacrifices and offerings from their crops to offer to God.In regards to the offerings from their crops, God gives them this command to bring him the best of their firstfruits.Understanding - What does it mean?God wants his people’s best and first.God didn’t want his people’s leftovers. God had given them everything! Anything he asked them to give back to him was completely justified because he was the one who blessed them with it to begin with.These festivals and offerings served as reminders to themselves that God was the provider of every good thing they had. God didn’t want the fruit that had ripened prematurely and was rotten or the vegetables that had been half-eaten by worms. He wanted not only the first of what his people harvested, but the best.As I read this, it hit me that God gave us his best and first. More accurately, he gave us his best and only. Offered on our behalf was God’s one and only begotten Son, when none of us deserved it (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). The difference when we give God our best and first is that he fully deserves it!Although we are under the new covenant and aren’t required to observe these feasts and to give the best and first of what comes out of the garden in our backyard, God still desires our best and first in every area. He desires we give him the best and first of our time, of our increase financially, of our talent, etc. Once again, when we give we are giving back to God because all we have is his to begin with.Life ApplicationGive God my best!
God, forgive me for the times I try to give you my leftovers. I don’t want to wait to spend time with you each day until late at night when I’m exhausted and falling asleep. I don’t want to wait to give to you of my finances (which really aren’t mine but yours anyway!) until the end of the month if I have anything left over. God, make us a church that is passionate about giving you our best and our first in every area of our lives. You deserve it! Thank you for giving us your best and only. We love you! Amen.
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