The times seem so different now compared to the culture of the Israelites described in Leviticus 25 and 26. I am thankful for living in a modern society with all the amenities that I have grown accustom to but what is the cost to our relationship with God and our relationship with each other? In the agricultural of Leviticus did they feel the business of life I feel today? Can we live in dependance upon God in a truer way?
God set up every 7th year as a Sabbatic Year for the land. It was a time of rest for the land where the plowing, sowing, and harvesting did not occur. During these years the people relied on God to provide for them from the harvest of the 6th year which would last 3 years. In these years what did the people do? If they were not tending fields did they just focus on the animals they took care of? I wonder what people thought when they heard that they were to work the land 6 years and then take a year off? Did doubt creep into people’s minds or were they fully trusting in God’s provision? I would have loved to have seen the massive crop in the 6th year. It would be known in that year that God was providing. How amazing that would be! After 7 consecutive sabbatic years it was the Year of Jubilee. I just love the name of this year, it sounds happy. Every 50 years horns were sounded throughout all the land on the 10th day of the 7th month. I wonder what the energy and excitement level of the people were on the 6th day of the 7th month? In the Year of Jubilee there was no plowing, sowing, and harvesting just as in the Sabbatic Years. I bet there was one massive crop in the 48th year because there needed to be enough food to last a sixth year, a Sabbatic Year, a Jubilee Year, and a year of planting and pruning the harvest. That is 4 years worth of food from one harvest, God sure is amazing. The Year of Jubilee was special because property was redeemed to people who sold it over the previous 49 years this year. It was away for people to base costs of land and even servitude. It sure seems that life was less hectic in these days. I am not exactly sure how all of this applies to me today. It just makes me feel a sense of awe about God.
In Leviticus 26 God gives two paths to the Israelites: the path of obedience and blessing, and the path of disobedience and judgement. If God’s laws were followed by the people then they could, “eat [their] food to the full live securely in [their] land.” Leviticus 26:5. I would really prefer to live in a time of bounty and peace by following God. When the Israelites didn’t follow God’s commands then they would not have blessing and they would have poor harvests, enemies and animals attacking, and destruction of buildings and towns “so that [they] will eat and not be satisfied.” Leviticus 26:26. This is what will happen if the people of Israel break God’s covenant by not honoring His commandments, statutes, and ordinances. Even though God judges Israel He will remain faithful to remember the covenant He made between Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham by not destroying them completely. When the Israelites turn back to God He will restore them again.
…if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amens for their iniquity, then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also my covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land. For the land will be abandoned by them, and will make up for its sabbaths while it is made desolate without them. They, meanwhile, will be making amends for their iniquity, because they rejected My ordinances and their soul abhorred My statutes. Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, nor will I so abhor them as to destroy them, breaking My covenant with them; for I am the Lord their God. But I will remember for them the covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the Lord.
Leviticus 26:41-45 NASB
I love how in verse 44 and 45 God will not break His end of the covenant! That is amazing! God remembers the covenant for the Israelites while they are disregarding it. How humbled I am at the faithfulness of God. I love Him dearly and I am so thankful that I can know Him more. This awesome faithfulness of God reminds me of the verse in 2 Timothy 2 verses 11- 13, “It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” I look forward to the time when I am in 2 Timothy and I can reflect on these truths but for now I sit and marvel at God’s faithfulness. I am eager to look at the story of the Israelites unfold as I continue reading the Old Testament where this covenant of God’s faithfulness and their unfaithfulness is played out. I thank you Lord for allowing me to relish in your truths. Thank you.
