Leviticus 25:1-22 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The sabbatic year.

At the close of the original week the sabbath of the seventh day was given; that of the seventh year, on the entrance of the Hebrews into Canaan. The former was a memorial of creation; the latter, of redemption. These are intimately related. There are correspondences between the old creation and the new—the material and the spiritual. The grand effect of redemption will be the constitution of a new creation, in which the mundane system will participate.

I. THE SEVENTH YEAR WAS A " SABBATH OF THE LAND ." Then:

1 . The soil remained untilled.

2 . The people were taught to trust God.

3 . The people were taught to hope in God.

II. TURN THE FRUIT OF THE LORD 'S LAND WAS FREE .

1 . The land is the Lord's.

2 . This year the tenant shared his benefits with all comers.

3 . There was a release from debts (see Deuteronomy 15:1 , Deuteronomy 15:2 ).

III. THE LEISURE OF THIS YEAR WAS RELIGIOUSLY SPENT .

1 . The Law was publicly read (see Deuteronomy 31:10 , Deuteronomy 31:11 ).

2 . If not religiously used, leisure is fruitful in mischief.