10/04/2022 – Day 219 – Leviticus 25 – 27 – Commentary and Discussion
I am going to share some excellent excerpts from “Halley’s Bible Handbook”:
Chapter 25. Sabbatic Year. Year of Jubilee
“Sabbatic Year was every 7th year. The land was to lie fallow. No sowing, reaping, no pruning of vineyards. Spontaneous produce was to be left for the poor and the sojourner. God promised enough in the 6th year to carry over. Debts of fellow Jews were to be cancelled.
Jubilee Year was every 50th year. It followed the 7th Sabbinic Year, making two rest years come together. It began on the Day of Atonement. All debts were cancelled, slaves set free, and lands that had been sold returned. Jesus seemed to regard it as a sort of picture of the Grand Jubilee which He came to proclaim (Leviticus 25; Luke 4:19).”
Ownership of Land
The Land of Canaan was divided amono the 12 tribes, and, in the tribes, among families. With certain exceptions , it could be sold in perpetuity out of the families. A sale amounted to a Lease till Jubilee, when it would be returned to original family.
The Number SEVEN
Every 7th day a Sabbath.
Every 7th year, a Sabbatic year.
Every 7th Sabbatic year was followed by a Jubilee year.
Every 7th month was especially holy, having 3 feasts.
There were 7 weeks between Passover and Pentecost.
Passover Feast lasted 7 days.
Tabernacle Feast lasted 7 days.
At Passover 14 lambs (twice 7) were offered daily.
At Tabernacle 14 lambs (twice 7) daily, and 70 bullocks.
At Pentecost 7 lambs were offered.”
Chapter 26 – Punishment for Disobediance
“If in spite of this you still do not listen to me, then in my anger I will be hostile toward you, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over.” Leviticus 26: 27-28
Chapter 27. Vows and Tithes
“…The Tithes were in use long before the day of Moses. Abraham and Jacob paid Tithes. Among the Jews the Tithe was for the support of Levites; and Levites were used in civil government as well as in religious service (see on 1 Chronicles 23).
First-Fruits. God claimed as His Own, not only the Tithes, but also First-Born sons of all families (in lieu of whom he accepted the tribe of Levi), and First-Born of all Flocks and Herds, and First-Fruits of the field. The First-Fruits of the harvest were to be offered at Passover, and No Part of the New Crop could be used till this was done (Leviticus 23:14). The First Crop of a young orchard (the 4th year) was to be given to God, and No Fruit of it could be used Till This Was Done. Lesson: Make God first in life.”
Soli Deo Gloria!