Waiting on the Gift
Shavuot, Feast of Pentecost, is a celebration and blessing of the wheat harvest but, did you know it also contains a message of charity and love? In Leviticus, God gives the Israelites directions on how to glean their fields at harvest, instructing them to leave some of the harvests for the poor. In this command, God is teaching us to be generous to those who are in need.
“’When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the LORD your God.’”
Leviticus 23:22
God is the God of the past, present, and future. He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider. His generosity has no bounds. In the book of Ruth, God’s faithfulness, steadfast love, and sovereign hand are evident throughout the story. We can see that beginning with the command in Leviticus to leave a portion for the poor, the Lord graciously guides and provides for Naomi and Ruth in their time of need. The God of Israel indeed keeps his covenant promises to his people.
The Feast of Pentecost is also a time to count and rejoice in our blessings, knowing that all we receive is a gift from the Lord. As He blesses us, we are to share in our abundance and bless those who have little. By giving this free-will offering, we are saying to God, “I trust you. You are my Jehovah Jireh.”
Watch Pastor Israel’s latest video, part 3 of “The Power of Pentecost” linked below to gain more understanding and deeper meaning of this Pentecost season