The sheaf of the first fruits to be offered unto the Lord had much of Christ in it. (Leviticus 23:10-12) Christ is the first in every thing. But as the first fruits of the harvest, Christ was eminently so here, for by his resurrection from the dead, we are told that he thereby became the first fruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20) The sheaf was to be waved before the Lord, not only to acknowledge him as the Lord, proprietor of all the earth, but also to have an eye to the Lord in Christ, as sanctifying and blessing all our enjoyments. Hence, the Priest was to receive the first fruits of the sheaf, and to wave it before the Lord: and then and not before, the people had liberty to use it. Sweetly teaching us that Christ is first to be eyed in the blessing and then he will be enjoyed in the blessing; so that both law and gospel hold forth the same blessed teaching; "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase; so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10)