Leviticus 23:15-22
We’re continuing our detailed Bible study about the feasts of the Lord. We are focusing in on the fourth feast.
Passover is first. Feast of Unleavened Bread is second. The Firstfruits is third.
And now we’re going to the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. This is a feast commanded by God in the Old Testament and is later fulfilled in the New Testament with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Biblical Foundation of the Feast of Weeks
Now, let’s study the feast of weeks from where we first see it in the Bible.
Leviticus Chapter 23 is the chapter in the Bible that summarizes the seven feasts of the Lord. But it’s not the first place that the feast of weeks is seen in the King James Bible.
Exodus 23:14-16
Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. 15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) 16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
Three Times Per Year Keep a Feast
Three times per year they were to keep a feast to the Lord. 1) The feast of unleavened bread for seven days. 2) The feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labor. 3) The feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year.
Now what are these three times to keep a feast?
We know there are 7 total, but this says three times per year. This speaks of the times each year.
High Level Summary of the Seven Feasts
Last week, if you remember, we went over a high level summary of the seven feasts of the Lord. Here’s the table we put together during the Bible Study:
| # | Feast | Season | Month | Dates | Timing |
| 1 | Passover | Spring | 1st | 1/14 | 14th at Even |
| 2 | Feast of Unleavened Bread | Spring | 1st | 1/14 – 1/21 | 14th at Even to 21st at Even |
| 3 | Firstfruits | Spring | 1st | Variable | Day after Sabbath |
| 4 | Feast of Weeks | Spring | 3rd | Variable | 50 days from Sabbath |
| 5 | Blowing of Trumpets | Fall | 7th | 7/1 | 1st Day of the Month |
| 6 | Day of Atonement | Fall | 7th | 7/9 – 7/10 | 9th at Even to 10th at Even |
| 7 | Feast of Tabernacles | Fall | 7th | 7/15 – 7/22 | 15th Day of the Month |
Now, take a close look at the column in the table there that has the month the feasts occur. What do you see in that column? You see three different months. First month, third month, and seventh month. Those are the three times to keep a feast to the Lord each year.
Timing of the Feast of Weeks
The first month is when the feast of unleavened bread occurs. The third month is when the feast of weeks occurs. The seventh month is when the feast of tabernacles occurs.
Those are the three times mentioned in Exodus Chapter 23. The feast of weeks, in Exodus Chapter 23, is described. Let’s read that Scripture again. And keep in mind that we are studying the feast of weeks today.
Exodus 23:16
And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
The Feast of Weeks and the Wheat Harvest
The feast of weeks is also called the feast of harvest, “the firstfruits of thy labors.” Don’t get this mixed up with the firstfruits that happens during the seven days of unleavened bread. There are different harvests and multiple harvests throughout the year just as any farmer would tell you.
So, remember that the feast of weeks happens during the third month of the year as specified within the King James Version of the Bible. The first month in the Bible occurs in the Spring. This would be early April for us as an example.
The third month would be late Spring or sometime around early June.
Summer begins June 20th. So the feast weeks is late Spring or in the month of June for us.
Next, the Bible gives us more information about this feast. Remember, we’re talking about the feast of weeks. It occurs during the third month of the year, late Spring, early June.
Exodus 34:22-23
And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s end. 23 Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.
Here we see that the feast of weeks is the firstfruits of wheat harvest. The other firstfruits, again, occurs during Passover week, when Jesus arose from the dead, is the barley harvest. It happens earlier in the year. The first wheat harvest happens in late Spring. Don’t get those two confused. The feast of weeks speaks of the wheat harvest.
Barley Harvest vs. Wheat Harvest
Now, knowing this information, you can start to notice timing within the Bible. I want to show you something. Remember, the firstfruits during Passover week speaks of barley harvest because it’s early in the year. The firstfruits during the Feast of Weeks speaks of wheat harvest which is late Spring.
Ruth 1:22
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
This would have occurred during the first month, Spring, or in April as we see it today. “In the beginning of barley harvest.”
Ruth 2:23
So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
Ruth worked hard in the fields from early Spring to late Spring. From the first month to the third month, Ruth worked in the fields. This helps you understand more of the Bible. As we study the Feast of Weeks, you gain more knowledge and wisdom from the Bible.
Now, let’s go to the big chapter in the Bible about the feasts of the Lord. Do you remember that chapter? Which chapter in the Bible describes all the feasts of the Lord? Leviticus Chapter 23.
Pentecost is Numbered Fifty Days
We’re going to get many more details of the feast of weeks or Pentecost.
Leviticus 23:15-16
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: 16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
The timing of this feast is based upon the day the Feast of Firstfruits occurred. If you remember, as an example, Jesus is the firstfruits. His resurrection occurred on the day of the Firstfruits which occurred on the first day of the week, a Sunday.
Continuing with that example and comparing it with this commandment in the Scriptures, we would count seven sabbaths from the Sabbath day right before Jesus arose from the dead. And then the next day after the seventh Sabbath day would be the fiftieth day or the Feast of Weeks.
Feast of Weeks = Pentecost = 50th Day
Feast of Weeks = Pentecost = Fiftieth. The word Pentecost is only found in the New Testament three times. Pentecost is Greek for fiftieth. The fiftieth day from the firstfruits is Pentecost or Feast of Weeks.
So, you would count the day of Firstfruits as day 1. Then count the days to day 50. On day 50 is the Feast of Weeks. So, 50 days from the day Jesus arose from the dead would be the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.
When the fiftieth day from the firstfruits occurs, let’s find out the details of what happens on this feast day called the feast of weeks or Pentecost.
Leviticus 23:16
Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
Meat offering here means wheat. Meat is equal to wheat. Meat means food in the Bible. Wheat is food. It is a new meat offering.
Two Wave Loaves from the Firstfruits
Leviticus 23:17
Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.
“Ye shall bring out of your habitations,” two wave loaves of two tenth deals. This means two loaves of bread made with two tenths of an ephah or about 4 quarts of fine flour. These loaves of bread are made with leaven. These loaves of bread are called wave loaves. W-A-V-E because the priest would wave the loaves of bread before the Lord.
These loaves came from the harvest. The firstfruits. God gives us everything. This is offering of the people recognizing what God has done for them. Remember, this is the firstfruits of this harvest. It’s the first. We give the first to God.
When we get paid, no matter where it comes from, we are to give back to the Lord. Give the first of whatever you get back to the Lord. The first and finest flour was used. We work together as a church, as a team, as a congregation, to do the work of the Lord.
Leavened Bread? Why?
Why is leaven used? Unleavened bread was used at the Passover or Days of Unleavened Bread. Now we see leavened bread. The leavened bread could mean that God knows we aren’t perfect. We still sin. Or maybe it means that we are growing. At Pentecost, the thousands of souls were added to the church and the church grew or arose.
Matthew 13:33
Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Leaven does symbolize sin within the Bible, but it doesn’t always symbolize sin. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven.” But this is a good leavening. For example, we take the Gospel out into this world and it spreads. The number of saved people grows. The church grows. These are good things. The word of God is good leaven. Sin is bad leaven.
Now, we see the two loaves of bread that are waved. Wave loaves. But that’s not all on this feast of weeks day. What else is there? Let’s see.
Offerings for the Feast of Weeks
Leviticus 23:18
And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD.
Now we see seven lambs without blemish of the first year. One young bullock. Two rams. The bullock and rams will be a burnt offering. Along with the burnt offerings comes a meat offering and a drink offering. Meat offering would be flour and oil. The drink offering would be wine or the juice of grapes as an example.
There were exact amounts given for the meat offering and drink offering to be given with the burnt offerings. All of this takes a great amount of work for this Feast of Weeks. They prepared their offerings to the Lord.
For us, we can come into church and simply put a tenth of what we made, in money, to the Lord. We don’t have to do all of this other work. Everything is easier now but sometimes we get very complacent and we don’t do what we’re supposed to be doing for the Lord.
So far, we see two wave loaves of leavened bread using fine flour from the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. Then we see seven lambs, one bullock, and two rams. With the burnt offerings, the meat and drink offerings are included.
Burnt Offerings, Sin Offerings, and Peace Offerings
We see the bread, the burnt offerings, the meat offerings, and the drink offerings. But that’s not all.
Leviticus 23:19
Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.
Now we see the sin offering and the peace offering. One kid of the goats for the sin offering. Two lambs of the first year for the peace offering. This is offered for the children of Israel.
Leviticus 23:20
And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.
The bread and the two lambs are waved before the Lord.
Leviticus 23:21-22
And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. 22 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.
That’s the end of the detailed information in Leviticus Chapter 23 regarding the Feast of Weeks. It is a holy convocation. It is a Sabbath of rest. No servile work. It shall be a statute forever.
Save Some for the Poor and Stranger
When you reap the harvest, don’t take everything. Whatever you miss, leave that for the poor and for the stranger so they have something to eat. God says so. Make sure you understand this. Look at the last part of the verse. “I am the LORD your God.”
So, the firstfruits goes to the Lord. Then all the offerings. And then they also left some in the fields for the poor and the stranger. We give our firstfruits. We tithe. We give a tenth of what we earn to the church for the Lord’s work. We give extra offerings. We feed people here. And then we give extra to the poor and to the stranger.
We follow after the Lord’s model. You can find this same model all throughout the Bible. For example, Ruth and Naomi were able to survive and eat because Boaz left food in the field for them to have. And king David came from Ruth. Ruth could have starved just as people are starving in this world today.
But God’s people helped her. God’s people don’t take everything in and keep it for themselves. We give back. God blesses us. We give to God. He takes care of us.
If you make ten pennies a week, give a penny. It doesn’t matter how much. It matters that you give back to the Lord. If you make $10 a week, you give $1. If you make $100 a week, you give $10. If you make $1000 a week, you give $100. It’s one tenth. That’s a tithe.
One Tenth is One Tenth = Same for All
Mark 12:41-44
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
The Feasts of the Lord allowed people to understand the source of everything. God is that source. We need to take the time every week to give back to God and recognize he is the source of all things. He is “THE” provider of “ALL THINGS.”
Let’s summarize the Feast of Weeks. We see it occurs 50 days from the Firstfruits during the Passover week. It’s always on a Sunday. It’s always on the first day of the week. It’s a time to give the first of the harvest of wheat. It happens on the FIRST DAY of the week.
A Table of the Feast of Weeks Offerings
Here’s a table showing the offerings:
| # | Type | Offering |
| 1 | Wave offering | Two loaves of leavened bread |
| 2 | Burnt offering | Seven lambs One bullock Two rams Meat offerings Drink offerings |
| 3 | Sin offering | One kid of the goats |
| 4 | Peace offering | Two lambs |
Now, I want to show you one more Scripture for the Feast of Weeks. We see this feast mentioned again in Deuteronomy Chapter 16.
A Free Will Offering During the Feast of Weeks
Deuteronomy 16:9-10
Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn. 10 And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
I want you to look closely at the end of verse 9. “From such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.” Corn there doesn’t refer to what we call corn. Corn, in the old English dictionary, is a small hard particle, a grain used to make flour. It can refer to barley or wheat as an example.
So, besides all the other parts of the Feast of Weeks that were offered to the Lord, there is one more thing.
Verse 10 there says, “And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.”
Voluntary Offerings Based on Personal Blessing
It’s always a good thing to give a free will offering to the Lord. “According as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee.” If you take everything you make, use it for yourself always, never give to the church, always looking out only for yourself, then God sees your selfishness.
Who do you care about? Yourself. This church cares about others as you all know. We help others. We give to others. We do our best. With your help, we can all do even better.
The feasts of the Lord are about giving offerings to the Lord. Free will offerings are included.
Deuteronomy 16:11-12
And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there. 12 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.
Feast of Weeks = Rejoice in the Lord!
Now, during the feast of weeks, during all of these offerings to the Lord, they were to rejoice before the Lord! Thank God for everything. Thank him for the wheat harvest. Thank him by giving him offerings.
So many people are against giving offerings. But God isn’t. You give and then you rejoice because you know you are giving to the Lord for his work to be done.
Who rejoices? You, your son, your daughter, your employees, your church, your church leaders, the strangers out there, the kids who have no father, and the woman who lost her husband, the widow.
And you shall remember who you were before you were saved. Remember that God sent you someone to give you the Gospel because he loves you. Rejoice and remember. Thou shalt observe and do these statutes.
It’s time to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s time to preach the Gospel. It’s time to get people baptized in water. It’s time to get to church. It’s time to increase your faith by hearing his words just as you did today. It’s time to go to the Lord in prayer.
Let’s pray.
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