number three in the Word of God is almost in every
instance connected with resurrection. One sheaf only was brought into
the presence of Jehovah; this sheaf was the earnest of the harvest to
follow. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the
first-fruits of them that slept" (1 Cor. xv:20). "But every man in his
own order: Christ, the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's
at His Coming" (1 Cor. xv:23). The grain of wheat had fallen into the
ground and died. But He liveth; the full ear of the sheaf waved before
Jehovah typifies the abundant fruit which He brings unto God. It was
waved "on the morrow after the Sabbath." That is the first day of the
week, the glorious resurrection morning. Thus we see in this feast
Christ risen from the dead, the first-fruits, now at the fight hand of
God. And as He was raised from among the dead, so shall His people be
raised from among the dead, when He descends from heaven with the
shout; while living believers shall be changed in a moment. And all
will be with Him in that blessed day when He comes for His own.

+Jehovah-Nissi+, "the Lord my Banner" (Exod. xvii:15). Israel, as we
read in this chapter, fought with Amalek (the type of the flesh).
Joshua was the leader of God's people in this warfare, while Moses was
on the top of the hill holding up his hands that Israel might prevail.
And Joshua gained the victory over Amalek. Joshua typifies Christ
risen from the dead, who, like Joshua, brings His people through Jordan
into the promised land. And Moses on the top of the hill with his
uplifted hands also represents Christ risen from the dead, at God's
right hand interceding for His people. Through a risen Christ, whose
life we have, and who liveth for us, we get the victory in the conflict
down here. He died for us, which gives us peace; He lives for us and
in us, which gives us power. The risen Christ is our banner and
victory.

+IV. The Feast of Pentecost+ (verses 15-22). This is the Feast of
Weeks, also called Pentecost (the Greek word for fifty) because it was
celebrated fifty days after the Feast of First-fruits. After seven
Sabbaths had passed by, a new Meal-offering was to be brought to the
Lord. It consisted of two loaves, which were of fine flour, leaven
also was to be put in them; they were to be the first-fruits unto the
Lord. In the beginning of Leviticus we read of the meal-offering. The
offering here in the Feast of Weeks, or Pente