he sabbath of rest for the land in the seventh year. (1-7)
The jubilee of the fiftieth year, Oppression forbidden. (8-22)
Redemption of the land and houses. (23-34) Compassion towards
the poor. (35-38) Laws respecting bondmen, Oppression forbidden.
(39-55)
Verses 1-7: All labour was to cease in the seventh year, as much as
daily labour on the seventh day. These statues tell us to beware
of covetousness, for a man's life consists not in the abundance
of his possessions. We are to exercise willing dependence on
God's providence for our support; to consider ourselves the
Lord's tenants or stewards, and to use our possessions
accordingly. This year of rest typified the spiritual rest which
all believers enter into through Christ. Through Him we are
eased of the burden of wordly care and labour, both being
sanctified and sweetened to us; and we are enabled and
encouraged to live by faith.
Verses 8-22: The word "jubilee" signifies a peculiarly animated sound
of the silver trumpets. This sound was to be made on the evening
of the great day of atonement; for the proclamation of gospel
liberty and salvation results from the sacrifice of the
Redeemer. It was provided that the lands should not be sold away
from their families. They could only be disposed of, as it were,
by leases till the year of jubilee, and then returned to the
owner or his heir. This tended to preserve their tribes and
families distinct, till the coming of the Messiah. The liberty
every man was born to, if sold or forfeited, should return at
the year of jubilee. This was typical of redemption by Christ
from the slavery of sin and Satan, and of being brought again to
the liberty of the children of God. All bargains ought to be
made by this rule, "Ye shall not oppress one another," not take
advantage of one another's ignorance or necessity, "but thou
shalt fear thy God." The fear of God reigning in the heart,
would restrain from doing wrong to our neighbour in word or
deed. Assurance was given that they should be great gainers, by
observing these years of rest. If we are careful to do our duty,
we may trust God with our comfort. This was a miracle for an
encouragement to all neither sowed or reaped. This was a miracle
for an encouragement to all God's people, in all ages, to trust
him in the way of duty. There is nothing lost by faith and
self-denial in obedience. Some asked, What shall we eat the
seventh year? Thus many Christians anticipate evils, questioning
what they shall do, and fearing to proceed in the way of duty.
But we have no right to anticipate evils, so as to distress
ourselves about them. To carnal minds we may appear to act
absurdly, but the path of duty is ever the path of safety.
Verses 23-34: If the land were not redeemed before the year of jubilee,
it then returned to him that sold or mortgaged it. This was a
figure of the free grace of God in Christ; by which, and not by
any price or merit of our own, we are restored to the favour of
God. Houses in walled cities were more the fruits of their own
industry than land in the country, which was the direct gift of
God's bounty; therefore if a man sold a house in a city, he
might redeem it only within a year after the sale. This
encouraged strangers and proselytes to come and settle among
them.
Verses 35-38: Poverty and decay are great grievances, and very common;
the poor ye have always with you. Thou shalt relieve him; by
sympathy, pitying the poor; by service, doing for them; and by
supply, giving to them according to their necessity, and thine
ability. Poor debtors must not be oppressed. Observe the
arguments here used against extortion: "Fear thy God." Relieve
the poor, "that they may live with thee;" for they may be
serviceable to thee. The rich can as ill spare the poor, as the
poor can the rich. It becomes those that have received mercy to
show mercy.
Verses 39-55: A native Israelite, if sold for debt, or for a crime, was
to serve but six years, and to go out the seventh. If he sold
himself, through poverty, both his work and his usage must be
such as were fitting for a son of Abraham. Masters are required
to give to their servants that which is just and equal, (Col
4:1). At the year of jubilee the servant should go out free, he
and his children, and should return to his own family. This
typified redemption from the service of sin and Satan, by the
grace of God in Christ, whose truth makes us free, (Joh 8:32).
We cannot ransom our fellow-sinners, but we may point out Christ
to them; while by his grace our lives may adorn his gospel,
express our love, show our gratitude, and glorify his holy name.
he sabbath of rest for the land in the seventh year. (1-7)
The jubilee of the fiftieth year, Oppression forbidden. (8-22)
Redemption of the land and houses. (23-34) Compassion towards
the poor. (35-38) Laws respecting bondmen, Oppression forbidden.
(39-55)