Leviticus 25:10
Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you;
In Leviticus 25 we get a snapshot of God’s economic principles for Israel to live by. There were three major principles. Number one: God owned the land and the right to control it. Number two: God owned the people. He had redeemed them from Egypt. Number three: The Israelites were a family and should take care of one another.
In Leviticus 25 the Lord gave some statutes to be observed that would help the Israelites to remember these three principles, as well as maintain a solid economy. God directed the people to give the land a year of rest every 7 years, trusting him to provide enough for their needs during that year the land was fallow. God directed the people to observe a year of jubilee in which debts were forgiven and properties restored to the clans that God had originally given them too. Every 50 years his people would have the privilege of a fresh start. That was God’s plan.
The thing that strikes me the most about Leviticus 25:10 today is the fact that I am not able to find record of the fact that Israel ever celebrated a year of jubilee in the way that God outlined for them here in this chapter. Makes me wonder, what would history look like if the Israelites would have trusted God enough to obey his laws in regards to jubilee? What would history look like had the kept the Sabbath of the land every seven years? What if?
Something to think about . . .
Suggested Readings To Read Through The Bible In A Year
Tues. March 1, 2011 Lev. 25, Luke 22, Psalm 54, Proverbs 1
Wed. March 2, 2011 Lev. 26, Luke 23, Psalm 55, Proverbs 2
Thur. March 3, 2011 Lev. 27, Luke 24, Psalm 56, Proverbs3
Fri. March 4, 2011 Numbers 1-2, John 1, Psalm 57, Proverbs 4
Sat. March 5, 2011 Num. 3, John 2, Psalm 58, Proverbs 5
Sun. March 6. 2011 Num. 4, John 3, Psalm 59, Proverbs 6