Scripture: Leviticus 25:1-55

Aim: To give the student insight into the Jewish celebration of Jubilee with its basic teachings.

Golden Text: “Ye shall not therefore oppress one another, but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the Lord your God. Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety. And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety” (Leviticus 25:17-19, KJV).

There is a place of safety for individuals, families and nations. That place of safety is living in and practicing the will of Jehovah God. He has always promised those who will surrender themselves to Him to do His will that He will be with them, protect them and bless them.

That was always the case in the Old Testament. It was true in the New Testament. It is still true today. The only safe place to live is in the will of God, doing what He has revealed to us that we should do. It is no surprise to the careful Bible student that we are a people filled with fear, frustration, anxiety and perplexity regarding our present and our future. When we have left God out of our lives, we have opened the door for these things and more.

Further, we have “bitten the hand that feeds us.” Our confidence in having all our need supplied has flown out the window because Jehovah God is the source of all good and perfect gifts to us; yet, we have ignored and many have rebelled against Him and His word. Oh, misery and confusion!

The only way to change our plight is to humble ourselves before the Lord, confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness. Then we can again begin to obey His Word. Only then will His blessing return to us. Only then can we be assured that “all things work together for good.”

Jubilee was a celebration Jehovah gave to Israel. It was given through Moses in the wilderness and was to be begun when Israel possessed the land of Palestine (Leviticus 25:1-2).

Jubilee was closely associated with the Sabbath and the Sabbatical year.

I. Israel was to observe the Sabbath and the Sabbatical year (Leviticus 25:1-7). Each week contained a Sabbath (seventh day—day of rest and worship.) Jehovah required all to observe the weekly Sabbath. Not to do so was rebellion against Jehovah.

The Sabbatical year was the seventh year (vs. 3-4). In the seventh year, the land was to be untended. The land the people would be enjoying a year of rest from labors. Jehovah would give a good supply so that all in the land could be adequately provided for (vs. 5-7).

II. Jubilee was the 50th year (Leviticus 25:8-12). The 49th year was a Sabbatical year. The 50th year, on the day of Atonement, trumpets would sound throughout the land to announce the year of Jubilee (vs. 9-10). No work was to be done (vs. 11-12). Jehovah would supply. That meant that Israel had two years without planting and carrying on trade or industry. Jehovah would be glorified, and Israel would be blessed and provided for.

III. The three basic respects of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:14-55). First, there was rest for the soil and the people (vs. 11). Second, there was a return of all property to the original family (vs. 10-34). Third, all debts were canceled and all slaves were freed (vs. 34-55).

Jubilee will be fulfilled when God’s people are at home with Him in His land. There will be that Sabbath rest (Hebrews chapter 4) from all our labors. Jubilee will extend into eternity with God and His people living together in joy and rejoicing. There will be no need. All will be provided by our Savior God. We will have that wonderful rest from our labors and continual worship of our precious Heavenly Father, our precious Savior, Jesus Christ and the precious indwelling Holy Spirit!

“What a day that shall be, when my Savior I shall see!” In order to enjoy that day, one must be sure he is a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Amen!