Read Leviticus 25:1-22
What did you know before about the Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee? I knew enough to know there was a lot more to understand and learn about. This text was helpful for me in that regard. But unless you travel in circles of Orthodox Jews, then you probably haven’t heard about such special years.
The Sabbath Year that is celebrated by certain Jews is now known as the shmita. The next one to be celebrated is 2028-2029. On the other hand, the Year of Jubilee has not been celebrated since the twelve tribes all lived in the land of Israel since they were taken in captivity by Babylon.
Interestingly, the Catholic Church celebrates a year of jubilee every 25 years, with the next one falling in 2025. For Catholics, the year of jubilee is a time to get right with God, each other, and with all of creation. Such a “reset” sounds like a good idea, something our world could use. Too bad we’re not all Catholic!
So what does our text unpack about all of this? It sounds like the Sabbath Year was when the land got its own Sabbath rest, taking a break from its duty of growing crops. People would have to live off what grows in the fields with no planting. That would be an interesting year, wouldn’t it?
We learn a lot about the Year of Jubilee, too. Imagine having all your debt cleared away, being found innocent of any charge, getting a fresh start, being totally free! That would only happen every fifty years, so it’s possible some people would never live long enough to see a Jubilee year. Yet God wanted to make this provision for his people.
Like a pardon, a person would be made free. The United States Constitution allows a president unlimited pardons to be used in their discretion. As an example, in recent years Barack Obama pardoned 1927 individuals, Donald Trump pardoned 237. (Source: Wikipedia) Not quite the same thing as a Year of Jubilee, but freedom would be amazing.
As I read about the Year of Jubilee, I can only imagine the life changing outcomes in terms of land ownership. I know what it feels like to have a landlord sell property that we were renting with little or no notice to find ourselves a new dwelling space. Then the joys of packing, moving, and unpacking consume your days. I guess I’m not surprised this is a law that lost favor once land ownership ceased, and God’s people were taken away into exile in Babylon.
Looking at God’s provision and desire to be fair and just fits with his character. It also makes sense that he would want his creation, the land, to also be given Sabbath rest. Farmers today often rotate fields to give the land a rest and hoping for an increased bounty in future years. In those “off” years, I can remember seeing fields with stray corn stalks growing, so it’s easy to picture what is being described here.
What are your takeaways? I’m going to focus on God’s bounty. That’s his intention. He wants us to rely on him and his provisions. These laws reveal that intention, don’t they. When you look around at all that surrounds you, that is the bounty God has entrusted to you in this moment. How do you respond to God?
Let’s pray. Lord, I thank you for how You have always given me exactly what I need. I am so grateful for how you are working in my life and all the provisions of bounty I see around me. Create in me a clean heart as I move forward into each new moment. Help me to overcome the distractions that keep my focus on other things and not on you. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
