Last
time we learned about the scapegoat, which was sent into the desert with all
the sins of the people. Jesus is our
scapegoat. He took our sins away and we
never have to face them again.
(My BSF
Notes)
Leviticus 25 – The Sabbath Year and the
Year of Jubilee
The
purpose of the Sabbath Year was to give the land a rest. It occurred once in every 7 years. In the 7th year the fields were to
be allowed to totally rest. The
Israelites were not to sow their fields, prune their vineyards, reap what
grows, or harvest grapes. The people
could not plant, but could eat what grew from previous plantings (Lev. 25:1-7). Just like the Sabbath day is for us. We are to not work, but rest for rejuvenation
and restoration on the Sabbath.
The
purpose of the Year of Jubilee was redemption of the land and slaves. It was to prevent ruin through debt. God said to count off 7 Sabbath years, 7
times 7, which was 49 years. On the Day
of Atonement in the 15th year, they were to announce it by sounding
trumpets. Jubilee means “the blowing of
the ram’s horn”. Jubilee was to be a
special year, a year of liberty throughout the land, a year when everyone was
to return to his own property. God was
concerned about the people and didn’t want their land taken from them which
would result in families being dispersed.
The land was important, because it existed for the people. The land was God’s and His people held the
land in trust for Him. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world,
and all who live in it.” – Ps.24:1.
The
land was not to be sold permanently, because the land belongs to God. If the land was sold, it was to be
repurchased by the original owner so the land would be restored. If the seller was poor and could not purchase
his land back, it was to be redeemed by his nearest relative. This relative is called a
kinsman-redeemer. An example of this is
found in the story of Boaz and Ruth in the book of Ruth. The Israelites were to have compassion on the
poor and to not take advantage of them, but were to help them so they could
remain in the community. If the poor had
no relative to redeem him, he was to be released in the Year of Jubilee.
Do you
think this would work today? Probably not.
People today are selfish and certainly would not want to give back
anything or even pay another’s debt. Anyway
most people do not grow their own food and would not be able to store enough
for a whole year. There are probably
some people who would do this, but it would be hard to get everyone on board
with the idea. Farmers today however, do
rest the land somewhat in that they rotate crops to get the best yield. I am sure there are some who would love to
not work for a complete year, which some do that now and live off of the
government and others.
What is
your attitude when you care for others?
How do
you come to the aid of others?
Do you
treat others the way you want to be treated?
God
wanted to restore the land, His people and He wanted them to focus on Him. We see in this study His heart of love and
wisdom. Redemption is the heart of His
character. He doesn’t want us with a sin
debt. Without Christ we are responsible for
our sin. Christ bought us back from sin
and set us free. We still have a sinful
nature, but we are not in bondage to sin.
God is sovereign and knows all things and controls all things. He created the land and knew what it needed
and He knows what we need.
Jesus
is the Kinsman-redeemer of the human race and had the right to redeem the
world. We can’t ransom other
sinners. They have to confess and repent
of their own sins. But we can share
Christ with them. We can be an example
as to the way we live. We can be Jesus
to them.
Principle: God sent Jesus as the Redeemer for the world.
Have
you allowed Jesus to be your redeemer?
Interesting
side-note: The Liberty Bell located in
Philadelphia reads, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the
inhabitants thereof.” This is in Lev. 25:10.
Leviticus 26 – Rewards and Punishments
In this
chapter God promised rewards for obedience and punishment for
disobedience. He reminds them to no make
idols, because “I am the Lord your God.” – Lev. 26:1. They are to observe the Sabbath and have
reverence for His sanctuary (Lev. 2). If they follow His decrees and obey His
commands He will bless them by sending rain for their crops and trees and they
will have all they want to eat. They
will live safely in the land. He will
look on them with favor by making them fruitful and increase their number. He will dwell with them and walk among them.
But if
they do not listen to Him and carry out all His commands, then He will punish
them. He will bring on terror, diseases,
and fever. They will plant crops in vain
and their enemies will rule over them.
If they still do not listen, He will punish their sins 7 times over and
break their stubborn pride. If they are
still hostile, He will multiply afflictions 7 times over. He will send animals against them, which will
destroy them making them few in number.
If they
do not accept His corrections, He will be hostile and afflict them for their
sins 7 times over, send plagues, give them to the enemy and cut off supply of
bread. They will eat, but will not be
satisfied. If they still do not listen,
He will in His anger be hostile, punish them for their sins 7 times over. He will abhor them and cities will be in
ruins. He will not be pleased with their
offerings. The land will be waste land,
enemies will live there, and the people will be scattered among nations. The land will enjoy the Sabbath years all the
time.
Those
who are left will be fearful and unable to stand against their enemies. They will waste away, because of their
sins. But if they confess their sins and
the sins of their fathers, He will remember His covenant with Jacob, Isaac and
Abraham and will remember the land.
How has
God blessed you for your obedience?
How has
God punished you for your disobedience?
How has
God provided for you?
One day
the trumpet will sound for us. The dead
in Christ will rise first and if you are a Christian and are alive, you will be
caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. We will then live forever with Him. (1 Thess. 4:16-17)
Are you
ready to meet Jesus?
If not,
what are you waiting for?
Principle: God provides a way back from disobedience.
Leviticus 27 – Tithes and Gifts
This
chapter deals with the dedication of people, animals, or property to the Lord
as the result of a vow. If an
individual’s circumstances change and it becomes necessary to redeem the
dedication, God tells how this is to be done.
He said that no one can dedicate the firstborn of an animal, since it
already belongs to God. Nothing that is
devoted to God can be sold or redeemed, because everything is holy to God. No person devoted to destruction can be
ransomed, but must be put to death. A
tithe of everything from land belongs to God and is holy to Him.
What
have you dedicated to the Lord?
How can
you live a life to receive His rewards?
Principle: Everything has been given to us by God and is
to be used faithfully to serve Him.
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