Lev 19:23 | MHM | STEP | v. 23-25 : When the Israelites planted fruit trees, they could not eat the fruit for the first three years. If the trees produced fruit early, they had to remove it, because early fruit could stop the tree from growing well. In the fourth year, the fruit was holy and given to the Lord . After that, they could eat the fruit themselves. This rule may have been to keep them from copying the heathen, who gave the first fruit to idols. It also matches the rule that animals could not be offered to God until they were eight days old (Leviticus 22:27 ). God wants the best, not what is weak or unready. This law teaches us to be patient and to remember that we do not deserve the good things of the earth, but receive them by God’s word and prayer (1 Timothy 4:5 ).

‏ Leviticus 19:23

v. 23-25: When the Israelites planted fruit trees, they could not eat the fruit for the first three years. If the trees produced fruit early, they had to remove it, because early fruit could stop the tree from growing well. In the fourth year, the fruit was holy and given to the Lord. After that, they could eat the fruit themselves. This rule may have been to keep them from copying the heathen, who gave the first fruit to idols. It also matches the rule that animals could not be offered to God until they were eight days old (Leviticus 22:27 ^a). God wants the best, not what is weak or unready. This law teaches us to be patient and to remember that we do not deserve the good things of the earth, but receive them by God’s word and prayer (1 Timothy 4:5 ^b).