Torah Portion Ki Tavo - Firstfruits, Light, and Resurrection Hope
Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8 | Isaiah 60:1–22 | 1 Corinthians 15:1–11
Here’s the deal. We love the blessing part of God’s promises, don’t we? We love the harvest, the overflow, the answered prayers. But do we remember who gave it? Do we remember what it took to get here?
This week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo, means “When you enter.” Not if, but WHEN. God is bringing Israel into the land He promised. And Moses tells them, “When you get there, when you’re standing in blessing, bring your firstfruits to the Lord.”
Now why would God command that? Because human beings are forgetful. We cry out when we’re in Egypt, but once we’re in Canaan and the fridge is full, suddenly we act like we did all that.
So God says, “Every time you harvest, I want you to stop and remember.” They had to tell their story out loud: “We were slaves. God brought us out. He gave us this land. And this firstfruit? It’s proof He’s faithful.”
That’s not just ancient Israel. That’s us. How quick are we to pray for a miracle, and then once it happens, move on like it was always going to work out? Gratitude isn’t a thank-you card, it’s a lifestyle of remembering where God has brought you from.
But Ki Tavo doesn’t stop there. Moses lays out blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. And whew, those curses are heavy. Why? Because covenant is serious. God is not playing. He loves His people too much to let them drift into destruction without warning. Blessing follows obedience. Trouble follows rebellion. It’s as simple as that.
Now watch how Isaiah picks this up. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” Israel felt abandoned, punished, forgotten. But God says, “No. My love will never leave you. My covenant of peace will not be shaken.” After the pain, comes the promise. After the darkness, comes the light.
And then Paul drops the mic in 1 Corinthians 15. What’s the ultimate proof that God keeps His covenant? The resurrection. Paul says: Messiah died. He was buried. He rose. And people saw Him with their own eyes. That’s the gospel. And it changes everything. If death couldn’t stop Him, then nothing can stop His promises.
Here’s the thread tying all of this together: Remember the story. Shine the light. Stand on the resurrection.
The Hebrew word that hits home here is zakar… to remember. Not just “oh yeah, I recall that.” No. It’s to actively bring God’s faithfulness into the present. That’s why Israel had to declare their history every harvest. That’s why we have to preach the gospel to ourselves daily. Because remembering keeps us humble, grateful, and grounded in God’s power.
So let me ask you:
What has God brought you out of that you need to remember today?
Where are you walking in blessing and forgetting who gave it?
And are you living like the resurrection is true, or like it’s just a nice story?
Ki Tavo is our reminder: Don’t forget where you came from. Don’t hide your light. Don’t let go of your hope.
Hebrew Letter of the Week: צ (Tsade)
Sound: “Ts” like in cats
Numerical Value: 90
Meaning: Righteousness, humility
How to Write Tsade
צ
It looks like someone kneeling. One line down, one line bent. A picture of humility.
Spiritual Meaning
Tsade stands for tzaddik… the righteous one. Real righteousness isn’t about LOOKING holy, it’s about bending low before God and letting Him lift you up. Messiah is the perfect Tzaddik. He humbled Himself, and God exalted Him. That’s the life we’re called to imitate.
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