Leviticus 25 continues the theme of Sabbath — the Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee. The Sabbath Year and the Jubilee provided Israel with the hope of a future and extended rest and also the release from debts. God arranged it so that there was always hope… though a person might have to labor for many years they would eventually have relief.
The Sabbath Year shared the same basic principles as the Sabbath day. But in this case, the 7th year was a year-long rest for the land itself. In having to cease working the land every 7th year, the Israelites had to trust the Lord’s provision for them and this meant letting go of control of the outcome of their work and lives. It acknowledged that God was sovereign and that He owned the land, that the people were His stewards, and that He provided abundantly for his people. Ultimately, it required the people to trust and obey God’s care for them. While we as Christians do not keep a Sabbath Year, we are called to live according to the principles taught here; namely that everything we have belongs to God and that he has given all that we have to us to steward for his purposes.
The Jubilee Year came after 49 years and it provided a new beginning. It was an opportunity to start over for those who had failed and it called on those who had benefited from other’s failures to let go of what they had gained. Basically, it was an overhaul of the social and economic life of the people of God. The Jubilee provided freedom to those who were enslaved, oppressed and bound. It also restored all family property as well as allowing the land to rest. As a type, Jubilee pointed to the future when all bonds will be broken and all debts will be cancelled. For Christians, there are two Jubilees. The first is present and is a jubilee of the heart wherein we are released from enslavement to sin because of the sacrifice of Christ. The second is in the future and is a jubilee of the Kingdom wherein all spiritual and physical things will be made new and whole.
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