Destination - The Land Of Blessing

A Land of Blessing

Deuteronomy 8:7-9 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; 8a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper.

8:8 “A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey”

In scripture, the number seven speaks of perfection, and the seven food products listed have special typical significance.

The passage is talking about a literal piece of land, a land that has specific borders, and a land that the children of Israel were to dwell in (see Exodus 3:8, Numbers 13:27, Joshua 15-17). This was God’s promise for His people, and in that land these food products were to be found.

These seven food products are listed in scripture for a specific reason.God’s word reveals what each of these food products typifies.

Wheat

The first mention of wheat in scripture is found in Genesis 30:14 Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field

This associates wheat with a harvest. The harvest speaks to us of a time when that which was sown is reaped. It speaks of that which falls into the ground and dies bringing forth fruit John 12:24 Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit

Wheat in scripture speaks to us of that thing which dies yet brings life. Wheat speaks clearly of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in particular His suffering, His death, yet His bringing forth of life through these things.

• Wheat speaks of Life

Barley

The first mention of barley in scripture is found in Exodus 9:31Now the flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the head and the flax was in bud. Here we see that it is the first of the firstfruits; it is ready before wheat and rye. Barley would have been offered as part of the offering of the firstfruits on the day of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:10). In this chapter in Leviticus 23, we have the Passover and feast of Unleavened Bread (verses 5,6), and then we have the feast of Pentecost on the first day of the week (v11). This can also be called the eighth day. In scripture, eight speaks to us of new beginnings, or resurrection. The first fruits were offered on the first day of the week, speaking to us of Christ’s resurrection. In the resurrection chapter of 1 Corinthians 15, we are reminded that Christ is “risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” (v20). Also, we are told that in Christ shall all be made alive, every man in his own order, “Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” (v23). Because Christ is our firstfruits if we are saved, we indeed become “a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18)

Barley is strongly associated with Ruth and Naomi in the book of Ruth. They both went to Bethlehem at barley harvest (Ruth 1:22).

• Barley in scripture speaks to us of New Beginnings

Vines

The first mention of vines in scripture is found in Genesis 40:9-11. Here we read of Pharaoh’s butler having a dream, and before him was a vine. This vine had clusters which brought forth ripe grapes. These grapes were pressed into Pharaoh’s cup, and the cup was subsequently handed to Pharaoh (v21). As a result of this, the wrath of Pharaoh, which was upon the butler (v2), was pacified and the butler was restored (v21) This new wine speaks to us of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:29). The King’s wrath was only pacified by the presenting of the “new wine” which came from the vine, and only then was the butler restored. In the New Testament, we read that the true vine is the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:1). And without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22) The fruit of the vine speaks of the Lord’s shed blood (Luke 22:18; Mark 14:24-25). The blood is the only acceptable atonement for sin.

• Vines speak to us of the Blood Atonement and Covenant

Fig Trees

The first mention of figs in scripture is found in Genesis 3:7. Here we read after the Fall of man through disobedience, Adam and Eve “sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons”. This speaks to us of man trying to cover sin himself by his own works and righteousness (Romans 10:1-3).The fig tree speaks to us of sweetness and good fruit (Judges 9:11).