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).
Fig trees in scripture speak to us of that thing which brings forth sweetness and good fruit, the good fruit being likened to righteousness. Where righteousness is forsaken, the fig tree does not bear fruit. Adam and Eve tried to apply the leaves of the fig tree themselves, speaking of self righteousness, but this didn’t cover their sin, so God had to clothe them Himself after shedding blood (Genesis 3:21). Of ourselves, our righteousness is as filthy rags in God’s sight (Isaiah 64:6), yet the righteousness spoken of by the fig tree is God’s righteousness, imputed to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 4:22-24).
• Fig Trees speak of Righteousness
Pomegranates
The first mention of pomegranates in scripture is found in Exodus 28:33-35. Here pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet were upon the hem of the robe of the high priest as he entered in and out of the holy place. The colours themselves here are significant. They were the colours of the curtains in the tabernacle (Exodus 26:1). They were also the colours of the freewill offering (Exodus 25:4).
Blue - speaks of heavenly things - Purple – speaks of royalty - Scarlet – speaks of blood.
Blue, purple and scarlet were also found in the robe of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 27:28 – scarlet; Mark 15:17 - purple; Luke 23:11 – blue
In Numbers 4:4 we read about instruction for the things of the tabernacle “about the most holy things”. Blue, purple and scarlet are found amongst these things (vs 6,8,13).
Pomegranates are found on the pillars of the temple (1 Kings 7:18-20; 2 Chronicles 3:16; 4:13). The temple, the place of holiness, was held up by pillars, and these pillars were covered in pomegranates.
Song 4:3 Your lips are like a strand of scarlet, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil Are like a piece of pomegranate.
• Pomegranates in scripture peak of that that which is holy and pure
Oil Olive
The first mention of oil olive in scripture is when we are told that pure oil olive was to be used in the lamp in the tabernacle, causing it to burn always Exodus 27:20
Oil olive is found in the holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:24-25). This was to be used to anoint the tabernacle, the ark of the testimony, the table and vessels, the candlestick and vessels, the altar of incense, the alter of burnt offering and vessels and the laver and foot. They were to be sanctified as they are holy. Aaron and his sons were also anointed (Exodus 30:26-30).
The anointing oil is holy, and is for the priests only. It will not be put upon man’s flesh, none shall be made like it and it shall not be put upon a stranger (Exodus 30:31-33). This again speaks of the purity of the Holy Spirit.
In scripture, oil olive seems to be constantly associated with that which is pure and holy. That which anoints and unites, that which glorifies not its own importance. That speaks to me so clearly of the person and work of the Holy Spirit, holy, pure, bringing glory to Christ.
• Oil Olive speaks of Anointing
Honey
The first mention of honey in scripture is found in Genesis 43:11 where it is associated with the best fruits of the land and is available in a time of famine.The Manna provided by God to the children of Israel in the wilderness tasted like wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31). Honey flowed through the promised land (Exodus 3:8,17; 13:5; Leviticus 20:24; Numbers 14:8; 16:13; Deuteronomy 6:3; 11:9; 26:9,15). Jacob ate honey out of the flinty rock (Deuteronomy 32:13); God is the Rock (Deuteronomy 32:4). Honey speaks here of the word of God. In Ezekiel 3:3 we see that the roll that Ezekiel ate was like honey for sweetness (this refers to the words of the Lord – see verse 4). Also, in Revelation 10:9-10, the angel gave John a little book which he ate. In his mouth it was as sweet as honey, yet in his belly it was bitter (this again refers to the word of the Lord – see verse 11).
• Honey speaks clearly of Scripture
Conclusion:
When we look at the 7 food products we see 7 prophetic characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ. We see One that was born to die, in order that others might live (wheat), we see One who was to be raised from the dead (barley), we see One who was to shed His blood so that we might be redeemed (vines), we see One who would be righteous (figs), we see One who would be holy (pomegranates), we see One who would be anointed and filled with the Holy Ghost (oil olive) and we see One who would be full of the word and words of God (honey). We see the perfect characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ, that One that one day would come forth out of the land of Israel.
The 7 food products of Israel speak to us in a historic sense of the beauty of the promised land; in a prophetic sense of the perfection of the Lord Jesus Christ; and in a spiritual sense of the 7 things that we, as Christians, ought to see manifest in our lives as we live for Him.
As Christians we have all these seven things available to through the Lord Jesus Christ in our own lives. Ephes. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
Wheat – life
Barley – new beginnings
Vines – the atonement covenant promises
Fig Trees – the fruit of righteousness, and that fruit should cause us to forsake the things of this world, to be separate, and to follow Him alone
Pomegranates –holiness in our thinking and daily living
Oil Olive – anointing
Honey – the word of God our final authority on all matters of faith and practice
When God’s people forsake Him, then the food products disappear from the land Joel 1:10-12 The field is wasted, The land mourns; For the grain is ruined, The new wine is dried up, The oil fails. Be ashamed, you farmers, Wail, you vinedressers,For the wheat and the barley; Because the harvest of the field has perished. The vine has dried up, And the fig tree has withered; The pomegranate tree, The palm tree also, And the apple tree-- All the trees of the field are withered; Surely joy has withered away from the sons of men.
