Sabbath Year REST
Leviticus 25: 1- 38
But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. That which grows of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land. (Leviticus 25:4,5)
This is a very on common practice today, in Canada, possibly other countries as well. but this I see and know it does not happen today, at all if ever. What I see is, every year the same land being planted, fertilized and sprayed. You never hear much of summer following to give the land a rest. It used to be that every field had its turn to rest. From what I see in verse 5 you were not even supposed to summer follow it. You were to just let it grow, and what ever grew would be worked back into the soil the following year. WOW, doesn't that sound foreign?
So according to the commands of the Lord, every seven years, the people of Israel and all who lived with them were to stop their agricultural pursuits and live off only what the ground yielded (Leviticus 25:1-7). This was called the Sabbath Year. They let the land rest and enjoyed the fruit of that rest for a full year as they depended on God to provide for them.
Then every every fifty years (after the seventh sabbath year), they observed the Year of Jubilee (vv. 8-55). Not only were the people to let the land rest, but they were also to cancel all debts across the nation and return all ancestral property to the families and tribes to whom it originally belonged. The Year of Jubilee compassionately prevented families from getting stuck in cycles of poverty so that all God’s people could enjoy the blessings of the land that He alone had given them.
The concept of "letting the land rest" is a practice with agricultural and spiritual significance. In agriculture, it refers to allowing land to lie fallow for a period to replenish and to prevent to soiul from being completely used us. Spiritually, it's a concept rooted in the biblical Sabbath year, where the land is commanded to rest every seventh year, symbolizing God's sovereignty and provision. When we allow our land to rest the soil gets replenished, the growth worked back in improves its structure, and will help get rid of some of the pests and diseases. A practice that came in later was that of fallowing or cover cropping that would get worked back into the soil. This can be part of a broader crop rotation strategy that promotes sustainable farming practices.
It could be a part of the year of rest, as you are adding back into the land rather than continuing to take from the land. This practice is strongly linked to the Sabbatical year in Leviticus 25, where the land is to be left unworked for a year, symbolizing God's rest and provision. The commandment emphasizes the importance of rest not only for people but also for the land, highlighting trust in God's provision during the year of rest. The Sabbatical Year is a reminder of God's sovereignty over creation and His provision for His people.
Hebrews 4:9 says this, "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God," signifies that a state of rest, both physical and spiritual, is needed for believers. This rest is not limited to the weekly Sabbath but extends to the ultimate, eternal rest promised to God's people.
Dear Father, forgive us, for treating your world the way we have, as I have seen pastors fleece their people, so I see farmers fleecing the land. Forgive us for getting away from you best for us and for the lands you have given us. Lord, the important thing is that we get the spiritual rest we need, from our work for and unto you. Many of us do the same in our spiritual lives as we have done with our lands. Lord forgive us and help us rest so we are to never burn out again. It is in your name we pray AMEN
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