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Moses begins the Torah reading כִּי־תָבוֹא Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1–29:9) by instructing the people of Israel on what they are supposed to do when they bring the first fruits of the land to the priest at the tabernacle. There is a specific declaration that the offerer is required to recite upon arriving at the Tabernacle.
We will examine this ritual narrative between the priest and the offering bearer and explore its meaning. First, we see that the supplicant brings the items in a basket, which the priest then places on the altar. At this point, the items belong to God, and the person must say the following:
“And you shall lift your voice and say before the L-rd your G-d: An Aramean tried to destroy my father, and, he went down to Egypt. And he lived there in scant number, and he became there a great, mighty, and populous nation.
And Egypt wrought evil unto us, and they afflicted us, and they placed us under hard labor. And we cried out to the L-rd, the G-d of our fathers. And the L-rd heard our voices, and He saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. And the L-rd took us out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great fear, and with signs and with wonders. And He brought us to this place, and He gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.
And now, behold, I have brought the first of the fruit of the land, which You, O L-rd, have given to me. Then you shall place it before the L-rd your G-d, and you shall bow down before the L-rd your G-d. And you shall rejoice in all the good that the L-rd your G-d has given you and your household, you and the Levite, and the stranger in your midst.” (Deuteronomy 26:5-11, The Rashi Chumash by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein via Sefaria.org)
There are many symbols discussed in this narrative that the man or woman bringing the gifts to the priest must recite. The term “Aramean” refers to someone from Aram. Laban, who lived in Aram, was Jacob’s father-in-law. Although Jacob wasn’t born in Aram, he lived there for a significant part of his life, as did his wives and most of his children.
Jewish tradition interprets the “Aramean” here as Laban, who tried to destroy Jacob/Israel and steal his descendants as they fled from him. Later, the Egyptians, represented by Pharaoh, also attempted to destroy Israel.
Both the Arameans and Egyptians sought to destroy our ancestors—either Jacob himself or his descendants, the people of Israel. When the Israelites lived in places where they did not belong, they faced the threat of genocide. For those of us who belong to the Messiah Yeshua, we are also not of this world. The world hates us and seeks to silence and destroy us as well.
Some interpret the “wandering Aramean” as Jacob. He fled Aram and went to Egypt for refuge, but he did not belong in either place. Pharaoh sought to kill him because Egypt was not the inheritance God had promised to Israel. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, and even there, they did not belong. God was bringing them to the Promised Land, which He had made for them.
In Egypt, the Israelites experienced harsh and oppressive treatment. They survived but did not thrive. When God fulfilled His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the patriarchs themselves did not live to see its fulfillment.
First fruits and its meaning
Why did God command the people to give the first produce of the land to the priests? Why did He ask them to recall their hardships before entering the Promised Land?
The New Testament refers to Yeshua as the “first fruit” of those who have died. The Apostle Paul describes God’s people as a type of fruit, offered to God. Yeshua offered Himself to God, and those who follow Him are presented as first fruits to the High Priest, Yeshua, and to God. Though we started out as worthless, we became something of value to God.
When the Israelites brought their first fruits to God, they were required to recite a narrative that reminded them of their past struggles and afflictions. Yet, despite their hardships, God valued them. He saved them because He loved them.
The first fruits offering acknowledges that God is the source of the good life they now enjoy in the land. It also symbolizes the acknowledgment that God loves and cares for His people through all their challenges.
The first fruits vs. the tithe
While the first fruits and tithe offerings have similarities, they differ in key ways:
- First fruits: Everything belongs to God, and the celebration is between the offerer and God.
- Tithe: A portion is shared with the poor, widow, and Levite, with a community celebration so that God will bless the people with more in the coming year.
The next section of the Torah portion describes the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. Notably, the list of curses is much longer than the list of blessings, and these curses often result from secret sins—sins that are only known to the participants and to God.
Consequences of secret sins
Public sins typically have immediate, visible consequences, such as arrest and trial. However, secret sins may go unpunished unless God intervenes. God desires inward holiness, not just external righteousness. Yeshua spoke often against hypocrisy, comparing it to a whitewashed tomb or a clean cup with a filthy interior.
God is not to be mocked. The curses in Deuteronomy happened to the people of Samaria, as recorded in 2 Kings 6:24-33. Human nature doesn’t change, and these same consequences can happen again if we tolerate sin.
Holiness inside and out
The Torah portion highlights the disastrous consequences of hidden sins, while the Haftarah portion in Isaiah 60:1-22 emphasizes God’s promise of restoration when His people repent and become holy both inside and out. A complete reversal of the curses follows obedience, as God restores His people to the land and community He promised them.
God is the source of all wisdom and wants to guide us on our journey through life. He is willing to bless us, our children, and future generations if we listen to Him. Despite the struggles and oppression His people face, we trust that He will fulfill His promise to bring all His people back to His hand and bless them with peace.
Summary: Tammy
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