by Dean Henry Law
16. The Sheaf of the First-fruits
“When ye be come into the land, which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a Sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest unto the priest: and he shall wave the Sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you.” Lev. xxiii, 10, 11.
The book of nature is a fruitful study. That heart is dull indeed, which marks unmoved the varied beauties of recurring seasons. But they, who ascribe these lovely scenes to nature’s course, pause at the threshold of delight. The infidel’s cold creed can thus praise verdant and luxuriant charms. He only gleans real joy, who everywhere beholds the hand, the care, the love, the power, the truth, the wise decree of God.
My soul, bring God into your every view: and then the view is elevating rapture. Trace God in all the produce of the soil, and then the produce is a step towards heaven.
Our tender Father knows, that happiness thrives not, where He is hid. Therefore in all His works He strives to fix attention on Himself. In feeding the body, He would show Himself unto the soul.
But goodness, as in nature’s constant stream, may fail to impress. The regularity may rather lull than rouse. Hence in the case of harvest, a solemn rite is added to the Jewish code, to obviate the evil of indifference.
Reader, the teaching of this ordinance now claims your mind. Come listen to its voice. Mark well its apt solemnities. Receive its sanctifying moral.
When the season of the Paschal-feast returns, the appointed harvest tarries not. The early promise is fulfilled. Gen. viii. 22. The firstlings of the grain are ripe. The fields of barley wave their golden heads.
But shall the gatherers now heedlessly collect their treasure? Shall thoughtless hands now bear the riches to the garner? Oh! no. The Altar must unlock the reaping gate. Hence the first ears are bound, as holy, into a holy Sheaf. The priest with reverence receives, and heaves it aloft towards heaven. He waves it to and fro. A victim is next slain, and then the happy reapers hasten to the crops. Such is the rite. God is thus sought. Then man begins the blessed toil.
Reader, survey this rite more closely. The harvest’s first act adores the harvest’s Lord. The first grains feed the altar. The first sickle cuts an offering for God. The lesson is plain. The thought of God should precede every work.
Let morning dawn with Him — to Him — for Him. Let prayer be the foundation-stone of each design. Nothing is well done, except begun in God. All is disorder, unless the First be first.
The priest uplifts the Sheaf on high. The First-fruits represent the entire produce of the fields. This is confession, that all earth’s yielding is the property of God. Without His will no seed takes root — no blade appears — no stalk ascends — no grains mature. Man’s toil and care may be employed, but all the power is divine. Where then is foolishness like his, who fondly dreams, that he is lord of lands? The richest hands hold nothing but a loan. Let that, then, which is God’s, and only His, be wholly His.
The Sheaf is then waved to and fro. It floats from east to west — from north to south — as traversing the globe. This motion warns, that every spot, in every clime, is God’s. His is an universal sway. In every land one sovereign owner reigns.
In this solemnity the offering is small. He, who might justly claim the whole, takes but one Sheaf. The large abundance remains for man’s supply.
Thus, while a bounteous hand fills our garners; while valleys bend with corn; and clouds distil their fatness; the Giver makes His small demand. All must not be consumed on self. The poor need food. The shivering cry for raiment. The famine of the Word must be relieved. The heathen perish for the bread of life. Such are the claims on our First-fruits. Will any rush to copious crops, and grudgingly withhold God’s Sheaf?
Reader, mark next, the Paschal sacrifice introduces the Wave-sheaf. A firstling of the flock, too, without blemish, accompanies the offering. A Gospel-truth here shows its light. The hand, which would bring gifts to God, must first be washed in the atoning stream. In every service God’s eye looks for His Son’s blood. If this be present, sure acceptance smiles. If this be absent, stern rejection frowns. The worldling’s heart may throb a grateful throb. But it cannot approach in nature’s filth. He must be cleansed, or he can gain no access. And nothing cleanses, but the blood of Christ. Cain would not live without some homage. But Cain despised the victim. He and his offering were cast out. Reader, let the sweet savour of the cross perfume your thanksgiving. Let this clear mark distinguish your thanks-giving. Then all your gifts, and all your life will mount, as welcome fragrance, to your God.
Already we have found rich teaching. But faith asks more. It has an eye, which ever searches for one object. It has a thirst, which Gospel-wells alone assuage. But here Christ’s person quickly meets the seeking heart. The name of First-fruits—the day of offering—lead by straight paths to Him. The Spirit’s voice is very clear. “Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the First-fruits of them that slept.” “Christ the First-fruits: afterwards they, that are Christ’s, at His coming.” 1 Cor. xv. 20, 23. These First-fruits, then, distinctly picture Christ.
The day of offering next seals this truth. On the morning, which succeeds the Paschal Sabbath, the Sheaf is waved. On this same dawn Jesus arose, avowing himself the antitype. Faith, then, has solid ground, when here it chiefly sees the Lord.
Following this clue, let us now gaze on Jesus in this type. The Sheaf relates a tale of triumph. It brings back thought to a seed cast into the ground. To view, it was a dry and worthless husk. Earth’s tomb then buried it. Mighty hindrances assailed it. The frost retained it with iron grasp, and many storms repressed it. At last it raised a living head. Here life gains victory over death.
Thus Christ descended to the grave. Life seemed to be extinct. Corruption threatened to devour its prey. The grave made fast its bars. But every foe is foiled. Death and hell yield. The tomb throws back its portal. The mighty conqueror strides forth alive. He shows himself to God — the First-fruits from the dead.
Believer, now in this Sheaf discern redemption finished by your rising Lord. It was an anxious moment, when the dying Jesus bowed His head. Justice had seized Him. To the prison He was dragged. In the conflict Satan was strong, while He expired. The anxious heart would anxiously enquire, will He now suffice to pay the countless debts of countless souls? He came — He died — to save: but may He not have failed? But ere the question can be fully asked, behold, He rises: He lives: He comes forth again to God. All claims then must be satisfied: all enemies must be subdued. His resurrection manifests, that all hell’s worst is now a broken reed.
Clap then the hands of joy. Raise high the voice of your ecstatic praise. Exult and glory in your waving Sheaf. The book of justice has no charge against you. The dying Lamb has washed the pages clean. Can the stern jailer now detain you? His sceptre lies the shadow of a shade. Jesus, appearing on the third day, is full assurance of redemption finished, and Satan’s empire spoiled.
Again behold the Sheaf. It stands alone — but it is not alone. It enters first, but a long train will surely follow. It is the earnest of the coming crop. It tells, that countless grains will soon succeed. Thus Christ is waved, the Head of His blood-purchased flock. His many members all gain life in His life, and triumph in His triumph. The Spirit sees this harvest, when He cries, God “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Eph. ii. 6.
Believer, this mystic-resurrection is long passed. When the Redeemer burst the bands, you rose arrayed in raiment of eternal life. God’s eye beams on you, as brought back in Jesus to His home.
Know, too, that the reality is near. Doubt not. Death is to you a conquered foe. It will indeed approach. It will extend an icy hand. It will take down your tottering house. It will consign you to a narrow cell. It will call worms to do their work. Your body is sin-soiled: let it then be dissolved. But cast away all fears. Death’s seeming triumph is a real defeat. It lays you low, that you may rise the higher. It wounds to heal. It weakens to give strength. It mars to bring in fresher beauty. The grave must part asunder. A clarion note will wake the sleeping clay. They, that are Christ’s, will rise as portions of His body. But, oh! how changed! The crumbling dust will then shine brighter than the mid-day sun. Decay will bloom into unfading youth. The mortal will be robed in immortality. The fleshy clog will be all spirit.
Reader, our present thought cannot conceive such state. — But it is true, and it is near. The trumpet is prepared to sound. The Lord of life is at the door. Hear these sure tidings in the First-sheaf’s voice, and glory in your resurrection-hopes.
But there is more than future rising — there is constant presentation here. This is one marvel of all the Bible-types: each form gives multiform instruction: each ray will split into a variety of colour. So here a changing view reveals the never-failing work of Christ above. The great High-priest is ever standing before God. He there presents — not blood alone — He shows the Sheaf of First-fruits. He displays the many members, who compose His body. Upon His shoulders and His breast the names of all His Israel appear. He pleads, that they are gathered from the world. He offers them, as consecrated for His Father’s use. If there is rapturous joy, it is when we look up, and see a Saviour’s hands waving our persons and our work to God. If, too, there is glorious prospect, it is the thought, that a great day is flying onward, when the whole mass shall really be reaped from earth’s wide field, holy as God — and fit for the eternal throne.
Another thought remains. They, who make boast of Gospel-joys, confirm their right by Gospel-signs. They, who are safe in Jesu’s hands, display His mind. They, who rise in Him to a resurrection-state, rise with Him to a resurrection-walk. They move in this world, as “begotten with the word of truth, to be a kind of First-fruits of His creatures.” James i. 18. They are no more their own. If God is theirs — they, too, are God’s. They love and seek His glory. They wear His livery, and do His service. Ye, who profess, that you are First-fruits unto God, have you these First-fruit marks?
This offering sanctified the crop. “If the First-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy.” Rom. xi. 16. Thus the little handful of Christ’s band leavens the mass of human race. Believer, see your calling. You are blessed above men, and you must be a blessing unto men. Your family, your friends, your country, the world, must be the better for your being. Your light must lighten — your salt must sprinkle savour — your grace must scatter grace.
Reader, are you these First-fruits unto God?
Letter
Delft, Dec. 1954
My Dear friend,
Many thanks for your most welcome letter of 2nd Nov. I know from experience that Scottish people are slow in writing; but what means much more, they are often thinking of friends. I always remember how the late George Mackenzie used to remember me at the throne of grace during the war. I was astonished to hear this from the old blind woman at Tarbet. Such information should humble us instead of making us proud, as human nature is inclined to do.
How truly it could be said to me what I read about Rowland Hill, visiting a home in his congregation and seeing a child on a rocking horse he said, “How wondrously like some Christians — there is a motion but no progress.”
This year in Glasgow it pleased the Lord to melt my heart and to grant me some fellowship with the saints above and the members of the Church militant below. I was drawn to a certain Mr Roe a minister in England whom I had never met before, but heard much about him. On my way to London, I got out of the bus at Stamford, and called on him at 9 o’clock in the morning. I stayed for the weekend at St Ives near Huntingdon, and walked on the Sabbath to Feustanton to hear him preach. As it was early — an hour before the service commenced I went to see the church of England. The minister began by glorifying the Virgin Mary, so I rose to leave the building. The door was closed — I rattled at it and made a noise. The minister stopped and looked at the disturber — not too friendly. I said, “I want to get out” so the door was opened.
Mr Roe is an able preacher. He was in London and used to meet and hear many of your ministers at the London communions.
Kindest regards.
A. Docter
Obituary
Angus Macleod Elder. Ullapool
Very few in this day leave behind them such a sweet fragrance of a life of deep spiritual piety, but Angus MacLeod was such a one. It was plain that he had followed the Lord from early years and that grace had steadily grown in him making him a man of the deepest humility and a man of very quick understanding in the things of God. Angus was born in the year 1899 and had the inestimable blessing of having truly godly parents. However, his father died when Angus was but four years of age and thus it was left to his mother to bring him up. As a youth Angus was preserved from evil, had a high natural respect for the things of God and attended regularly upon the duties of religion. In speaking to the question, he would refer frequently to this blessing of the common work of the Spirit of God restraining him but he would add that he came to realise that he had to be born again, if he were to be saved for eternity. When he went to Glasgow to learn his trade, he was attending the ministry of the revered late Rev. Neil Cameron of St Jude’s, Glasgow — this soul-awakening ministry was not without effect upon Angus. He returned to Ullapool upon completion of his training and his concern for his soul’s salvation was great. Shortly afterwards, at a communion season, from the words, in John I verse 29, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world,” Angus received the liberty of the gospel. He professed the Lord publicly in 1928 and that same year was elected to the office of deacon. Later, he was ordained an elder in the Lochbroom congregation.
In his public duties, Angus made it very clear that his eye was upon the Lord and not upon man. In prayer, he approached the Lord with deep reverence and with an obvious felt sense of his own utter unworthiness. When he would quote such passages as the portion already mentioned by which he obtained the blessing of the gospel and the passage in Isaiah 43: 25 “I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own name’s sake and will not remember thy sins,” one could not but feel that the reality of the words was touching Angus’ own soul. The reverence which pervaded all his spiritual duties was manifest to the very end and even when his body was weakened by much prolonged sickness, he would not address the Lord without making much effort to have a posture indicating the inward frame of his heart; and in this respect, he reminded us of the patriarch Jacob, who likewise would not call upon the Lord on his bed without ‘leaning upon his staff.’
In his rule over the affairs of the church he was not rigid, but rather showed a deep concern for the good of the souls over whom he ruled and for whom he was conscious that he would have to give an account. His services to the church were rendered most willingly and freely.
In his home, he was most hospitable and warmly received the friends of the Lord. There was nothing morose or severe in him but much to draw others to him. His conversation was most edifying and interesting as he was so familiar with the Word of God and with the works of the divines. The calm and peace of soul which he inwardly enjoyed seemed to reflect itself on his very countenance. Like all others of the Lord’s people, he knew what it was to be tempted by Satan. On his death bed, he was for a while sorely tried. On being told to resist the devil, his answer was, ‘It is not so easy.’
On October 27th, 1975 he died. It was truly a case of the Lord saying, “Gather my saints unto me.” Angus had shown himself to be of those who are “more than conquerors,” and who have gone to that place where it is asked concerning them, “What are these which are arrayed in white robes?”
He was left a witness to true godliness which must lie on the consciences of all with whom he came into contact. Although he was spared long to the church we have to mourn his loss.
Alfred E. W. MacDonald
Mbuma Missionary Society Meeting, 1976
by Rev. Donald MacLean, Glasgow
The Meeting of this Society was held on this occasion in Leiden on 30th April.
That particular day turned out to be a very fine, warm and sunny day and a very large crowd of people gathered at this Meeting in support of the Rhodesian Mission of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The proceedings were opened at 10.30 by Ds. C. Smits, the Chairman of the Mbuma Missionary Society Committee by the singing of a Psalm and the reading of the same. Mr Smits gave an address from Habakkuk, Chapter III, verse 2, “Oh Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: Oh Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.”
On the conclusion of his address, Ds. Smits extended a welcome to the Convener and Clerk of the Jewish and Foreign Missions Committee who were present on this occasion expressing the pleasure that the meeting felt at the presence of these two ministers. The Clerk of the Committee, Rev. D. MacLean addressed the meeting which was translated and read in Dutch by Ds. C. Smits. On the conclusion of this address part of Ps.89 was read and sung and the first collection was taken. Thereafter, Ds. Joh v.d. Poel addressed the meeting from Psalm 117 and upon the conclusion of his address, Ps.123:2,3 were sung and Lunch was taken.
The meeting again opened at 2 p.m. with an address from Ds. P. J. Dorsman who took as the basis of his address, Zechariah, Chap. 2:4. “And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: for I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.” Ps. 102:19,22 were sung at the conclusion of his address, and a further collection taken.
Mr L. M. P. Scholten then addressed the meeting from Isaiah Chap. 18:1,2. “Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: that sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled.” Mr Scholten stressed the fact that for all they knew this might be the last meeting of the Mbuma Missionary Society if circumstances in Rhodesia brought about the closing of the Mission there. He exhorted the people to be prayerful in their concern for the mission as well as generous in their giving. Thereafter Ps.68:31,32 were sung.
The meeting was then addressed by Ds. A de Ward from Zechariah, Chap. 4:7. “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerrubabel, thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.” On the conclusion of his address Ps. 103;19 was sung and the final address delivered by Ds. F. Mallan from Deuteronomy 32:43 “Rejoice O ye nations with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance to his adversaries and will be merciful to his land and to his people.” The singing of Ps. 47:1,2,3 brought the meeting to a conclusion.
The estimated number of people present exceeded that of any other occasion, numbering 7,500. The collection likewise was greater than any previous missionary meeting and amounted to the very large sum of £36,000.
This was the thirteenth meeting of this Society. Many of the original Committee are now at their everlasting rest, yet the work continues. Once more the people of Holland have demonstrated their unfailing prayerful interest in the Cause of Christ in Rhodesia. They have indicated this not only by their prayers and their interest but by their generous giving and the Free Presbyterian Church and the Jewish and Foreign Missions Committee are deeply indebted to the Lord for raising up friends so prayerful and liberal in support of the Mission in Rhodesia. We hope and earnestly pray that the Lord will be pleased to preserve the Mission and thus to keep a light shining in that dark Continent surrounded as it is by such powerful enemies to Christ, the glorified King of Sion.
Address to Mbuma Missionary Society. 30th April 1976
The wrath of God lies heavily on this generation. On every hand we see clear evidences of His displeasure. The world is in a state of confusion, and its leaders have no real solution for its problems. False religion of every kind grows and brings sinners into the captivity of its delusions. Communism increases in power, and is spreading its dark wings over the earth. Its desire is that the name of God should be no more remembered, and that His worship and His Church would be obliterated.
At the present time the land of Rhodesia is threatened as never before with this powerful and active expression of enmity to God. Communism has obtained victories in Angola and Mozambique under the pretence of bringing liberty to the unfortunate people of these countries. We can be sure that every effort will be made to blot out the worship of God from these places if, indeed, such worship did exist where popery held such a complete sway. In Rhodesia we know that the Church of God exists, planted there by His mighty hand. Loud calls are made from all sides for the military invasion of Rhodesia, and we can be sure that the Devil will do all he can to ensure that this will take place, and the Church of God be destroyed in Rhodesia. The Lord, who is King in Sion, can prevent such a calamity taking place.
On another occasion, and in the midst of threatening judgments coming upon the land of Judah He said, “Destroy it not: for a blessing is in it.” (Isaiah 65,8). There is a blessing in the true Church of God because the Lord Himself delights to dwell there. “For the Lord hath chosen Zion: he hath desired it for His habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell: for I have desired it” (Psalm 132:13,14). He dwells in His Church in the revelation He has given of Himself in His Word — in the glorious gospel of the blessed God. Here He is made known through the Person and work of His beloved Son. “No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath revealed Him.” (John 1, 18). In the Son of God in the nature of man, Immanuel, God with us, Jehovah has revealed Himself as a just God and a Saviour. His justice shines forth in its claims that the soul that sinneth must die. Eternal death is the penalty due to sin, and divine justice must be satisfied or the glory of God will be tarnished. When the Lord Jesus took the place of His people, bearing their sins in His own body on the tree, divine justice dealt with their sins in Him. Though He had no sin of His own, He bore the sin of many, and the death due to these sins He must die. Therefore His body was broken and His blood was shed for the remission of the sins of many. “He was wounded for our transgressions,” says the Church,” He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him: and with His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5). “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:8).
Jehovah also dwells in His Church by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Because we are dead in trespasses and sins we cannot come to a saving knowledge of Christ until the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, blesses the Word to our souls. It is then that sinners begin to learn the exceeding evil of sin, and to discover that they are the children of wrath even as others. Through the gospel and by the power of the Spirit, faith is wrought in their hearts to embrace Christ in the gospel as all their salvation and all their desire. “My beloved,” says the Church, as she views Christ by faith, “is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.” (Song of Solomon 5:10). No one is so fair as Christ is to the eye of faith. There was an old elder in the Scottish Highlands who said once: “The Lord’s people will never forget to the Holy Spirit how glorious He made Christ in the gospel to them.” “He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of mine and show it unto you.” (John 16:14).
It is in the Church that Christ feeds and strengthens His people. “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger: and he that believeth in Me shall never thirst”. (John 6:35). It is true that when the Lord’s people are under the power of unbelief they feel that they are getting nothing for their souls, but when faith is in living exercise they do taste and see that God is good. “Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:16). When their fainting souls are encouraged by the promises of the gospel they feel strengthened to come up through the wilderness of this world leaning upon the Beloved. On such occasions they can truly say, “His mouth is most sweet: yea, He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” (Song 5:16). Even in their dark seasons He has a word for them, for He will never leave them nor forsake them. “Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God.” (Isaiah 50:10). Is His mouth not sweet even in these circumstances?
There is a blessing then where the Church of the living God is; where His Word and Spirit are; where sinners are converted and the people of God fed and sustained on their way to everlasting glory. “Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: they will be still praising Thee. Selah. (Ps. 84:4). “Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest and causedst to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of Thy House, even of Thy holy temple. (Psalm 65:4).
We are assured that there is a blessing in the Mission in Rhodesia. In the Church there, souls have been united to Christ by the faith which is of the operation of God, the Holy Ghost. Many have gone from Rhodesia to heaven and are at this very moment singing the praises of the Lamb in the midst of the throne. Others of them are now living a life of faith upon the Son of God, Who loved them and gave Himself for them. “Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it.” May this be our earnest cry and prayer to the God of eternity in this hour of Rhodesia’s crisis. May the Lord grant us our prayers. “When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.” (Psalm 102:16,17).
Once more I wish, on behalf of the Church in Rhodesia and Scotland to thank the members of the Committee of the Mbuma Missionary Society and their supporters in Holland for the wonderful and generous way you have helped the Mission in Rhodesia. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified.” (2 Thes. 3,1).