What ‘crop’ is God harvesting from your life?

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In today’s study, we explored the meaning of Shavuot, focusing on the 10 Commandments, the symbolism of the two loaves of bread, and the importance of first fruits. Richard explained the difference between Eastern and Western mindsets and how God’s mindset transcends both. We discussed the restoration of the Kingdom of God, the role of the Spirit, and how these biblical pictures guide us to live with purpose and holiness, connecting ancient traditions to our lives today.

Shavuot: The Mountain Where God’s Voice Was Heard

Today we are honoring the biblical command to observe the Feast of Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks, and its connection to the giving of the 10 Commandments. Shavuot marks the culmination of counting seven weeks from Passover and commemorates the Israelites facing the mountain to receive God’s powerful voice and commandments. This event was meant to focus the people’s minds entirely on God’s words, highlighting the importance of living by every word that comes from the Creator.

There are different types of first fruits, such as those from the vine, trees, herbs, and especially wheat, which is central to Shavuot. The first fruits of the land are to be brought to God, and that the act of offering these first fruits is a way of acknowledging God’s provision and ownership over all creation.

The process of coming out of Egypt and bondage is likened to leaving behind sin and unholiness, with the journey toward holiness culminating in the giving of the 10 Commandments. When we observe and celebrate Shavuot, we study and practice the themes of redemption, dedication, and the unity of God’s people.

Pictures of God: Learning from the Hebrew Mindset

One key insight is that Eastern mindsets, like ancient Hebrew, approach the Bible through pictures and holistic images, helping us see the big picture and underlying meanings.

The first letter of the Hebrew alphabet is aleph , which originally was a pictograph of an ox head, which symbolized strength. Another example is the Hebrew letter lamed ל, which was drawn as a shepherd’s staff, which symbolized the leader. These two letters combined make the word El , which is one of the  names for God. The ancient Hebrews saw the world in pictures not in sounds.

Western mindsets, on the other hand, focus on analysis, definitions, and breaking things down into parts. By recognizing these differences, we can appreciate both the depth of biblical imagery and the value of careful study. Ultimately, seeking God’s mindset—beyond East or West—can lead to a fuller, more balanced understanding of scripture.

Often called the 10 Commandments, the term literally is “10 Words” or “10 Statements” in Hebrew. So God gave us 10 statements, 10 pictures, of what He thinks. Think of apostle Paul’s statement, “Let this mind be in you that was in Messiah Yeshua” (Phil. 2:5). Don’t try to get a Western mindset or an Eastern mindset, ask for the mindset of the Creator of Heaven and Earth. If you don’t understand something, ask God and He will tell you (James 1:5).

When God confused the languages at Babel (Gen. 11:9), He confused their mindset as well as the language. Neither the Western or Eastern mindsets are unholy. God made them both. Humans can make them evil but God didn’t make them evil.

The Two Loaves: A Picture of Unity and Restoration

We read earlier that there are two loaves of leavened bread to be offered on Shavuot. The two loaves, the two lambs are not just food to eat. They are a picture of something. We are a fruit, either of the first, second or final harvest. We are still His fruit — we belong to the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

Shavuot and the Spirit: God’s Seed Planted in His People

To better understand the significance of the two loaves of bread in the Feast of Shavuot, consider their symbolism. The two loaves of bread represent the two houses of Israel—the northern and southern kingdoms—brought together as something holy and belonging to God. The loaves are also a picture of first fruits, showing how God’s people are set apart for Him. By seeing the loaves as part of a larger biblical story of restoration and unity, we gain deeper appreciation for their meaning in Shavuot.

At Shavuot, God planted His Spirit in the 120 closest disciples of Yeshua. This act marked the beginning of a new phase—God planting holiness within His people and starting the restoration of the Kingdom. The Spirit served as a “seed” that would grow and bear fruit, making the disciples holy and empowering them to carry out God’s purpose. This planting at Shavuot is seen as the foundation for the spread of God’s message and the growth of His community.

In Matthew’s parable of the sower, what is planted is the Word of God—something that comes from above and is sown into people’s hearts (the earth/soil). The increase refers to the fruit that grows as a result: when the Word is received in good soil (a receptive heart), it produces a harvest—some thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold. The parable teaches that God’s message, when truly received and nurtured, leads to abundant spiritual growth and transformation.

The audience of the parable of the sower was primarily Yeshua’s Jewish listeners, including both the crowds and his disciples. Yeshua used a parable rather than plain words because, as he explained in Matthew 13:11-13, parables reveal spiritual truths to those who are open and seeking, but conceal them from those who are not receptive. Parables invite listeners to reflect and engage, allowing those with “ears to hear” to grasp deeper meanings, while others may miss the message.

David’s Throne Restored: Yeshua’s Coming Kingdom

Yeshua promised to establish the restored Kingdom of God on earth—the same kingdom that David and Solomon ruled over, uniting the house of Israel and Judah. This is a physical, earthly kingdom where Messiah will reign from Jerusalem, fulfilling God’s promises to Israel. In the West, we often think of God’s kingdom as only spiritual or heavenly, but biblically, it’s about God’s rule being restored on earth, as originally intended.

God could take the kingdom away from those who opposed Yeshua because the Kingdom of God is not only a future event—it also has present realities. In Matthew 21:33-46, Yeshua taught that God’s authority, blessings, and stewardship could be removed from unfaithful leaders and given to others, even before the final, full establishment of the kingdom. The kingdom involves both present participation in God’s purposes and a future fulfillment when Messiah reigns. So, God’s rule can be experienced—and lost—in the here and now.

Yeshua told the disciples in Acts that He is going to restore the Kingdom. He also said it’s not for us to know the “times and seasons” of this restoration. In Greek the words are kronos, from which we get chronometer for a clock, and hoerta, which is the way the Gospels refer to the moedim (Hebrew for “appointed times,” i.e. the “feasts of the LORD”).

Yeshua will literally restore David’s throne as well as spiritually restore it. We know the 12 apostles are the foundation of the Kingdom (Rev. 21:14), the 12 tribes are the entryway into the “heavenly” Jerusalem (Rev. 21:10-13). We will all have to enter in through the 12 apostles.

Isaiah tells us that God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isa. 55:9). Yeshua will restore the Kingdom of God on earth, as well as the earth itself (Isa. 65:17-25; Isa. 66:15-24; 2nd Pe. 3:11-18; Rev. 21:1-8).

Yeshua’s death occurred during the spring, at the time of the barley harvest—specifically Passover. The barley harvest in biblical symbolism represents the first fruits, or the first group of people to be resurrected or brought into God’s kingdom. These are often seen as the faithful remnant or the earliest believers who respond to God’s call, setting the pattern for those who follow.

If you are alive when Yeshua comes, you will not be a firstfruits of the resurrection. However, you be changed (1st Cor. 15:51-57; 1st Thess. 4:13-18).

When Messiah returns and sets His feet on the Mount of Olives, as described in Zechariah 14 and Revelation 14, several things will happen: the Mount will split, signaling a dramatic intervention in history; the faithful, including the patriarchs buried there, will be resurrected; and Messiah will establish His kingdom, ruling from Jerusalem. This marks the end of the “time of Jacob’s trouble” and the beginning of restoration, peace, and God’s reign on earth, fulfilling long-awaited biblical prophecies.

Only God can plant his Word inside man. God started the planting at Shavuot — in our minds and in our hearts.

Speaker: Richard Agee.