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Deuteronomy 26:1-11 – First Fruits

by Gary Sims
02/22/04
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The Scriptures
Deuteronomy 26:1-11 – First Fruits


Key Verses: (NRSV)
  • 1: “When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess…” – The Book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ parting sermon to the people he loves. He will not accompany them into the Promised Land so he writes this outline on how to live their lives as God would have them live.

  • 1b-2: “1b…you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest…2and you shall put it in a basket…” – Recognizing the God provides everything, Moses teaches the importance of remembering and dedicating the first fruits of each bounty to Him.

  • 5-10: “5You shall make this response before the Lord your God: ‘A wandering Aramean was my ancestor…6When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us…7We cried to the Lord…the Lord heard our voice…8The Lord brought us out of Egypt…9and He brought us to this place…10So I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.” – Moses teaches the people a creed to recite that helps them remember all the blessings that God has provided.

  • 11: “Then you… shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house.” – Remembering and celebrating God’s bounty is an important element of a faithful life.
Points to Contemplate:
  • Has God provided you with everything you possess? Is He the source of all things in your life – your home, your meals, the clothes you wear, you children, your health…? If so, are you taking the time to thank Him properly? At each harvest, do you collect the first fruits and offer them to God in recognition from where they came? Do you do so with a glad heart?

  • What are “First Fruits” of your bounty? Is Moses only referring to wealth? Would he have you simply fill the basket with money? Is your “obligation” complete with a monthly check, even if it represents ten percent of everything you have earned? How about the fruits of time? Are you giving back to God the first fruits of the 168 hours of each week He has provided? Are you to tithe your time as well as your money? How about the fruits of thought, wisdom, and inspiration? Are you tithing with your thoughts? Are your first thoughts each morning always with God? Do you continue through the day to regularly turn your thoughts and prayers to God? What other aspects of your life should you tithe?

  • Does it seem that the Church is always asking for money? Is the Church the only place in your life that asks for money? Or do you recognize that it is the only place in society that provides services for free? Have you taken advantage of the free food, free entertainment, and free counseling services at your church? Where else can you go that it doesn’t cost you for the services you receive? Why, then, does the church get this ‘bad rap’ about money? Would the Church ever have to ask for money if everyone followed through with their Biblical obligation to tithe?

  • What is your Creed? An important element of Moses’ guidelines was the recitation of a creed that outlined the faith journey of the Israelites. Do you have a creed that helps you remember your faith journey? “Can you put into clear and concise words what God has done for you?”1 Do you see the importance of this remembrance? Do you recognize that focusing on God’s bounty in your life, detailing the ways in which He has lifted, guided, loved, and saved you from your times in the wilderness and in captivity is a method of focusing all your energy and love towards Him? What is your Creed?
Promises of the Gospel:

We are blessed. If we take time to count the blessings we will be overwhelmed. And that is what Moses is calling us to do…count! At each harvest, every time we cash a pay check, with each moment of inspiration, and with each click of the clock recount our blessings. We are to put them into a basket and praise God as we hand them over to His altar. This is how the Kingdom of God is built in each of our lives. It is not an obligation that weighs us down. It is a celebration that holds God before us at all times.

1Notes from “Life Application Bible – NRSV” pp303.



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