Those of you who know me understand my love for the Old Testament. It is part of my (and everyone’s) roots. Pastor Ken still calls me his "second favorite Jew." There is so much wisdom God passed along to His new believers I would like to dedicate this one to those of you who may also be a new child in Christ. You are starting a wonderful journey that, for me, has been the best part of my life:

One of the few ways to cross the Judean Mountains is a road called the Jericho Highway. It leads to that beautiful, fertile plain called "The Promised Land." God had led the Israelites in the desert for forty years. Imagine how deprived they felt. Living in tents, hating the dust and the heat, walking in circles in the barren desert. Then, finally, behold ... an oasis. Beautiful climate, lush, green, fed by a bubbling spring of cool water. The promised paradise? Nope, actually the oldest city known on earth. Jericho.

This is not exactly how it is written, but I imagine the conversation went something like this:

Us: "Err, God, those guys over there don't want to let us in. Some of them look like giants. How do we conquer it, Lord?"

God: "No problem, follow my instructions. March, blow horns, shout...CRASH!!”

Us: "Neat God, now what?"

God: "Nothing. Leave it. Move on. This is mine."

Us: "Whaaaat?"

God: "Leave it as rubble. Anyone who tries to rebuild it will lose his firstborn in the foundation and his youngest at the finish." (Joshua 6:26)

Us: "But God you promised, we don't understand."

God: "My ways are not your ways. Forget it.”

Us: "But God, we've been patient, faithful. We want our reward."

God: "I am the God who is, not the God you want.”

Us: "But, but...."

God: "Listen, I want to know if you've learned your lesson. I am the provider. I will provide for your future, if you choose to rely on my ways, not yours. All blessings come from God. To show me that you believe this, I want the first of all that is provided. When the first of your vineyard comes in, pick that and bring it to God as a way of saying, ‘God, this is all I've got. I'm trusting in you Lord, to give me the rest.’ This shall be called First Fruits."

We are a Holy people. Holy means set apart. Set apart for God's use. If we use whatever we are just for our own use we break the First Fruits concept. Instead, when you give a donation to this ministry or your local Church, your unspoken message is: "God, I give you the first of your blessings, to be used in your service. I am one of those people who are set apart for your purposes, one of those who will never forget the lessons of Jericho."

Godspeed,

Mike Schacter

PS The book of Kings tells us of a man named Hiel who rebuilt that city of Jericho. He took what belongs to God. His oldest son died rebuilding the foundation. His youngest was lost at the end, rebuilding the city gates…just as God had said to Joshua. (1 Kings, 16:34)