There are seven feasts of which Yahweh says, "These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feast of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies....the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times." (Lev. 23:2,4) Of these there were three appointed times in the year that the people of God were called to assemble together in Jerusalem. One of these three times was for the Feast of Shavu’ot.
Notice that Yahweh says, these are his appointed feasts, at his appointed times. He chose the nature and purpose of each feast and he appointed the specific times they were to be celebrated. These are his feasts. Yahweh, the King of all creation, is calling us as his guests, to celebrate with him, at the time and place he chooses.
Concerning the Feast of Shavu’ot he says, "Then celebrate ‘Hag ha-Shavu’ot’ (Feast of Weeks) to Yahweh your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings Yahweh your God has given you. And rejoice before Yahweh your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name – you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, the Levites in your towns, and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows living among you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt..." (Deut. 16:10-11) All who are part of his family are called to come and celebrate!
The time that Yahweh appointed for this feast was determined by counting seven weeks after the first fruits barley sheaf was waved before Yahweh (Lev. 23:1-16) during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (hence the name "Feast of Weeks"). Then on the 50th day Shavu’ot was celebrated. In the New Testament this feast was called "Pentecost" (meaning 50th).
The specific period of time (seven weeks) when the people of God were called to count the days and wait for the day of Shavu’ot was a very significant period of time in God’s calendar. It was to be a time not only of waiting and anticipation, but of preparation and consecration. This time came to be called "The counting of the Omer." It was during this time that the firstfruits of all the crops were identified and carefully attended to. Significantly, the Feast of Shavu’ot was also called "Yom ha-Bikkurim" (Day of Firstfruits, Num. 28:26), and "Hag-ha-Katsir" (Feast of Harvest or Reaping, Ex. 23:16).
When it came for time for the Day of Firstfuits (or Feast of Shavu’ot) the firstfruits were taken from the fields, placed in baskets, and from all the towns and villages of Israel people would form festal processions, carrying their firstfruits to the temple in Jerusalem, the place Yahweh chose as a Dwelling for his Name. There the High Priest would present the Firstfruits ("bikkurim") before Yahweh, and proclaim the blessings of Yehweh upon the people and the land. In this way the blessing of Yahweh upon the coming harvest would be released.
In speaking of this feast, Yahweh says, "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt" (Deut 16:11) It is significant that the day that Israel was instructed to celebrate the Feast of Shavu’ot was the same day that the children of Israel, after leaving Egypt, appeared before Yahweh at Mount Sinai where they received the Law which would become a lamp for their feet and a light for their path. And in Jewish history, the Feast of Shavu’ot came to include the commemoration of this event when the Jewish people first came to be defined as a nation under the rule of Yahweh, in the giving of the Torah.
The time leading up to the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai was also a time of waiting and preparation. "Yahweh said to Moses, ‘I am going to come to you in a dense cloud ... go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready.’" (Ex. 19:9-10). Then "On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast....Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because Yahweh descended on it in fire."
We are reminded of Jesus’ words, "Do not leave Jerusalem (Mt. Zion), but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (Acts. 1:4) This was the John who said, "I baptize you with water...but he will baptize you the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matt. 3:11). And when the time of waiting was fulfilled, on the morning of the fiftieth day, "When the day of Pentecost fully came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit..." (Acts 2:1-3)
As part of the Feast of Shavu’ot Yahweh gave the specific instructions to bake two loaves of bread, which were to be made with yeast (not unleavened). These were to be waved before Yahweh at the Feast as a wave offering of firstfruits. The Priest would present this wave offering at the "third hour of the day" (or 9:00 a.m. at our time). This was exactly the time that the fire of the Holy Spirit fell on those waiting for "the promise of the Father." (Acts 2:15)
It is understood that the two loaves represent the whole house of Israel, and all the Gentile nations (not "unleavened" but with all their sins and flaws included). On the day of Pentecost all of Israel and people from all the Gentile nations gathered in Jerusalem. (Acts 2:8-10) At exactly the time when the High Priest was performing the morning sacrifice and waving these loaves before Yahweh, the Holy Spirit fell, and that very day three thousand of those gathered from Israel and all the nations became the "firstfruits of the Spirit." (Rom 8:23)
Today we are called again to offer ourselves as "firstfruits of the Spirit" as "we await eagerly our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our bodies." (Rom. 8:23-24). We "groan inwardly" with creation, waiting for the full manifestation of what God has prepared for those he loves.
On the Feast of Shavu’ot we are called to present ourselves as firstfruits of the Spirit, and we are given the unique opportunity to stand in intercession for all the fruit that the Lord is producing. As we bring our symbols of firstfruits for his Kingdom to the Dwelling he chooses on this Day of Firstfruits, Yahweh promises to release harvest blessings on each of these Firsfruits offered before him.
What a unique opportunity to bless Yahweh and receive his promised blessings as we honour him in keeping his "appointed feast"!
