Firstfruits

The first-fruits of the ground were offered unto God just as the first-born of man and animals. "The law required, (1.) That on the morrow after the Passover Sabbath a sheaf of new corn should be waved by the priest before "the altar (Lev. 23:5, 6, 10, 12; 2:12)." "(2.) That at the feast of Pentecost two loaves of leavened "bread, made from the new flour, were to be waved in like manner" "(Lev. 23:15, 17; Num. 28:26)." "(3.) The feast of Tabernacles was an acknowledgement that the fruits of the harvest were from the Lord (Ex. 23:16; 34:22). "(4.) Every individual, besides, was required to consecrate to God a portion of the first-fruits of the land (Ex. 22:29; 23:19; "34:26; Num. 15:20, 21)." "(5.) The law enjoined that no fruit was to be gathered from "newly-planted fruit-trees for the first three years, and that" the first-fruits of the fourth year were to be consecrated to the Lord (Lev. 19:23-25). Jeremiah (2:3) alludes to the "ordinance of "first-fruits," and hence he must have been" "acquainted with the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers," where the laws regarding it are recorded.