Joshua 8: What is a 1st Fruit?

“Treat Ai and its king as you did Jericho and its king, except that you may plunder its spoil and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.” Joshua 8:2 CSB

Is anyone wondering why on earth God would allow them to take plunder this time, but the last time they couldn't!???

After praying on it and digging a little deeper, I learned Jericho was the very first city they conquered after entering the Promised Land. The first always belongs to the Lord.

Throughout Scripture, we see the same principle: the first-fruits — the first victories, the first harvests, the firstborn — were given to God as a sign of reverence, obedience, and trust. It wasn’t about

God needing their treasure. It was about the people remembering where their provision and victories truly came from.

I often see my relationship with the Lord through the lens of parenting. Sometimes, as a parent, I withhold something — not because it’s bad — but because my child isn’t ready. Their heart needs training first. Other times, I give freely, because I know it will be a blessing and they can handle it with the right heart.

Lets look at the bigger picture here as the Lord is guiding us...He doesn’t just want to give us good things — He wants our hearts to be ready to carry what we are given well.

Lord, teach me to honor You with the firsts in my life — my time, my trust, my treasures. Help me to remember that every victory and every blessing comes from Your hand. Prepare my heart to carry the things You have for me well. Amen.