You ALL are AWESOME!
Leviticus chapter 25. Today we learned about two types of Sabbaths. 1. Sabbath of field and crops and 2. Sabbath of seven Sabbath years known as The year of jubilee the great redemption.
One of the Ten Commandments says to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. That one day of the week is to be a sacred day for the Lord. This is an opportunity where are we can take the focus off of our busy work schedule and rest and focus on the Lord. To rest is to regain strength and become productive in ministry. The same principle applies to the land. Every seventh year the land was to rest. During that 7 year the land could rest and replenish and nutrients so could produce fruit in the following years.
The year of jubilee happened every 49th year. It was the year of redemption. Houses were redeemed. Workers were redeemed. Land was redeemed. It was a huge year of redemption.
How can I apply this to my life?
1. I need to make sure I take care of my physical and mental and spiritual body by resting with God daily in my quiet time but also honoring the Sabbath day so I can focus on God, get replenished so I can serve him without burnout.
To rest is the opportunity to get replenished but also the gain new vision and strength to produce fruit in the lives of others. If we want to see fruit and ministry we need that resting time with the Lord. There's a lot to gain from it.
2. Then comes the year of Jubilee! The year of great redemption! And who is the greatest master of redemption but Jesus? The Year of Jubilee applied to everyone. And Jesus says redemption is available to everyone. I'm thinking of Romans 10:8-15. It talks about salvation in Jesus. The closing versus says it's available for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. It says:
1. How can someone call on the Lord for redemption if they don't believe in him?
2. How can they believe in him if they have never heard of him?
3. How can they hear about him if no one is sharing Jesus with them?
4. And how can someone preach if they aren't sent?
5. What's beautiful are those who do share the good news of Jesus our Redeemer.
It's us, me, who God wants to use the share the good news of Jesus our Redeemer so people can hear about Jesus, and believe in Jesus, then call on Jesus for redemption or salvation. So I want to share the good news of Jesus our Redeemer to those around me at home or at work or wherever I go.
The year of Jubilee was a brilliant plan from God for free enterprise for 49 years and compassion for the 50th year. There would be no monopolization or exploitation. But, there is no indication in the Bible or in extra-biblical writers that it was ever observed. In fact, the Israelites felt the consequences of not even observing the year of Sabbath for the land in the length of their captivity in Babylon (2 Chron 36:21).
Before I think less of the Israelites, I need to look in the mirror. Have I released people from the captivity that I hold them in because I think they let me down, disappointed me, or hurt me? I can do what Israel never did – I can cancel all debts and experience jubilee in my own soul.
God was also trying teaching His people to have an attitude that the land was His and they were stewards not owners. If I have an attitude that I am taking care of the Lord’s property, I am more likely to share with others less fortunate. It’s harder to do if I look at property with “ownership” in my heart.
After reading Leviticus 25, I was thinking today about how the Israelites kept track of time and I wondered when they started doing so back in the BC days. Of course time is measured in AD from when Jesus was here on the earth.
Jeanine, the point you brought up from this chapter, “I am taking care of the Lord’s property” hits home for me…
Brian, the little girl did not survive. She passed away. She was able to donate organs to 4 other people waiting on organ transplant lists.
One thing that has helped us through this horrific loss, is remembering that infact we all belong to the Lord, we are His children. This Earthly life is not our final destination, and therefore in death we can rejoice that we will see our loved ones once again.
A death due to drowning is so painful because drowning itself, especially in toddlers, is preventable. But although we will miss Naomi Grace until heaven reunites, we try to share the peace that because she died, others can live. A 4 month old boy received her heart. A 3 month old received her liver, and 2 others received her kidney. Because of her family’s brave choice for organ donation, her death meant others can live. When I think about Jesus I think that same thought, He died on the cross so that we might LIVE and have eternal life, in heaven, with those we love.