Today you should read: Leviticus 25
Our passage begins by discussing the Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee. For the Jews, the Sabbath year happened every 7 years and it allowed the land to rest. This is modeled after God when He created the world. In Genesis 1-2, God worked on 6 days and then on the 7th day rested from all His creation. God is instructing His people to model after what He has shown them.
In the same way, the Year of Jubilee happened every 50 years and allowed for redemption to happen throughout the land of Israel. Also, verses 23-55, all deal with redemption when the Year of Jubilee comes.
I think there are two key characteristics of God that are pointed out in this passage: rest and redemption. God has given us the example of rest and even from science, we understand that rest is important for our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Trust me, God knows what we need. This is why He is commanding the Israelites to rest themselves and give rest to the land. At the same time, we can truly understand rest when we receive redemption. As people who have been redeemed by God, we follow His instructions and understand that He has designed us uniquely. As humans, we are made in His image, and if God rested then we need to rest. When He has redeemed us, He is restoring us back to how He originally created us.
For example, as believers, we understand that the things of this world are not the most important things. Instead, we can take time off work to spend time with our families and be active in serving in the church. Someone who has not been redeemed might not understand why someone might not want to earn the biggest paycheck or be the most famous.
God has given us redemption through His Son and promises to give eternal rest to all who have a relationship with Him. So this week: How have you given yourself rest? If you haven’t done that, how can you give yourself rest within the next week?
By: Brice Stockton — Student Ministry Apprentice
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The year was 1986. The astronomy community was excited because Halley’s Comet was due to make its return to Earth for the first time since 1911. I was 26 years old and remembered thinking this would be my only chance to see it. The comet wouldn’t return until 2061.
Since the Jubilee occurred every 50 years I’m sure God’s people looked forward to it with great excitement and anticipation. I can only imagine how grandparents and parents told their children about the celebration since most people would only experience it once in a lifetime.
All of this caused me to think, Do I look forward to the Lord’s return with the same anticipation and excitement as people of old looked forward to the Jubilee and modern man Halley’s Comet? If not, why? All believers should stay busy doing the Lord’s work with excited anticipation for His return.
This is my favorite chapter in Leviticus for two reasons: it teaches us how to be good stewards of the land and He reminds us that everything belongs to Him.
We are no longer good stewards of the land, filling it with chemicals and exhausting it year after year. We are paying the price for that by producing food that no longing provides all the nutrients we need for our health.
The Year of Jubilee is no longer practiced, instead we cling to what we consider OUR property and become possessive and greedy.
One good thing coming out of the corona crisis is that it is forcing us to rest and reevaluate. I pray that this current situation, which will be our new “normal” for who knows how long, will cause us to fix our eyes on what is truly important – the Lord our Savior.