In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord. The fourth year's fruit is consecrated to the Lord — entirely holy, presented as an offering of praise. The fourth year creates the transition from the forbidden first three years to the permitted fifth year: the first usable fruit goes entirely to God before the farmer can benefit. The firstfruits principle applied to fruit trees: the first fruit that is freely usable (after the three forbidden years) belongs to the Lord. Psalm 50:14 says offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving — the fourth-year fruit offering is praise given material form.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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