Behar “On The Mountain”
Leviticus 25:1-26:2
We are nearing the end of Leviticus. We have learned a lot about how God is setting up His nation of people. He has been specific in giving Moses instructions on dealing with all kinds of problems that may come up with the people, the order of assembly for the tabernacle, what day to rest, and much more instruction for His people.
We learned about the Sabbath (day of rest) and we understand this to be on the 7th day (Saturday in our culture). Now, we read about God telling Moses “that when the people come into the land that God is giving them”, that the land is to keep a Sabbath. So, for six years, you are to sow the fields, prune the vines, gather the provisions, but in the 7th year (Sabbath year), the land needs to rest. This applied to both grain crops and fruit-bearing plants. During the 7th year, you are not to plow, prune or harvest the land. In other words, God is telling them to allow the land to rest; similar to the weekly Sabbath (everything needs a rest). Israel followed this, because it showed obedience, that the land did not belong to them, it belonged to God. What is interesting is that during that 7th year, whatever the land produced on its own (meaning no person could tender anything), whatever grew, was for anyone to obtain, even the animals.
A little nugget I came across was that during the time of Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar both remitted Israel’s taxes during the sabbatical years.
As you can imagine, observing this year of rest for the land, was a powerful testimony of their independence on God. It was a declaration, that God would meet their needs. Now, they could certainly store up grains and fruits before the 7th year; however, if a storm or fire came through and devastated all they had saved, they couldn't just plant or grow more. They were truly living by faith and God most importantly wanted His people to live their lives by trusting in Him.
What I find interesting is, that, it has been shown that giving the land some rest every (7) years helped restore the vital nutrients to the soil that generally get depleted by constant use. Some other benefits include, weed control (in a natural way), reducing pests and improve water infiltration into the soil. Today, the specific sabbath year practiced may not be a concept that all farmers follow; however, the concept in allowing the land to rest is relevant even in farm practices today.
Next, we read about a “Jubilee” year. This was a year every 50 years. Understand, that this would have been a huge test of faith, as there would have been (2) years in a row of faith in God’s provision. The Jubilee year did not begin, until the “Day of Atonement” or “Yom Kippur”, when the annual atonement was made for sins of the people. This became a time of joy, because during this time, the slaves were freed…however, there is not much that was recorded in the OT, but there is some evidence in Nehemiah 8 and 10.
Our founding fathers of this country were aware of the principle of the year of Jubilee and the freedom associated with it. On the Liberty Bell, it is inscribed with the phrase from verse 10.
During this liberation, the land was to return to the family it was originally given to, and people (including slaves) were expected to return home.
The context here indicates that property that needed to be sold during difficult times, could be taken back by the previous owner.
So, understanding when Israel came into the Promised Land, the land was divided according to tribes and families. These parcels of land would be the permanent possession of those families and therefore land in Israel could never be permanently sold; it could only be leased and the number of years which would have been left until the Jubilee year. Joshua 13 - 21 goes into the division of the land amongst the tribes. God’s design for His people, would be that no family would forever be without land.
Can you imagine what it was like during this time, when the people heard the trumpet blast and they could return (for those that sold or left) to their homeland. One day, for us believers, we will hear that trumpet blast and be welcomed to our true eternal home! Hallelujah!!
I believe that today, some of these principles mentioned here about the Year of Jubliee would be a blessing for us today…cancellation of debts (no more 30-year mortgages), but God didn’t assign land to people around the world.
God promises Israel that if they obey Him, He would provide so much on the 6th year, that they would not want for anything and they could be eating provisions some (3) years later! Sometimes for us today, things just don’t make sense, but we trust He will provide our every need. Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Don’t get me wrong, the whole earth belongs to the Lord. But, it’s clear, God had a special place for Israel, which He calls His Holy Land. In Zechariah 2:12, God proclaims that the land of Israel is His in a special way, beyond the sense that the entire earth belongs to Him. God could have chosen anywhere in the world to birth His nation of people, yet, He chose the land of Israel as we know it today.
Let’s take a little journey into the story of Ruth which most of us are familiar with. “Redemption of the land” can be accomplished through a “redeeming relative” In Hebrew, the word ‘goel’ was a designated close relative who had the right to do some things for the family. They could redeem a family member sold into slavery - they could redeem the family’s land or inheritance that may have been sold outside the family. We read in the book of Ruth that talks about a redeeming relative that takes place.
Who else redeems us from slavery of sin? Who else restores our inheritance in the Kingdom, Jesus Christ/Yeshua Ha Mashiach is our ultimate redeemer!
As we near the end of this chapter, God gives some directions on a few things, “do not worship idols”. God promises blessings to an obedient Israel and curses to being disobedient. God reminds Israel of the foundational law - that Yahweh, the Lord, is the only God of Israel and He must be worshipped and obeyed. You are not allowed to carve any image and worship it. A carved image refers to something that is made into the shape of an object, an animal or a person. The root of the word ‘idol’ is translated as ‘worthless, insufficient or inadequate.
God talks about keeping His Sabbaths and reverence to His sanctuary. An important part of the way Israel honored God was by doing these things. How are you honoring God? What instructions are you following? Are you giving God what is due unto Him? Are you allowing Him to sustain you during a fast? Are you giving 10% of your time, talents and money, so the 90% can be sanctified, doubled and blessed by Him? Just like thousands of years ago, God still wants us to rely on Him! And He still wants to bless us! What is in the way of you relying fully on Him and receiving His blessings?!
Next week, as we end the book of Leviticus, we will dig further into obedience and blessings.
God has put it on my heart to share and reveal the culture of the ancient Israelites. Some things certainly apply today, remember, we serve the same Almighty God! There are many things that do not pertain to us today and that is okay. Some things just aren’t meant for us. My prayer is that through reading, doing your own research, it opens up the world of the Middle East like never before. Understanding the culture can really help us put things into context and perspective.
Have a blessed week!
Blessings & Shalom ~ Deena
