Facts about the number 7.

1. The seventh day is a day of rest.

2. The seventh month is the beginning of the civil year.

3. The seventh year is a year of rest for the land.

4. Seven X seven + one = fifty - The year of Jubilee.

I. Verse 1-7 - Sabbath of rest for the land (no farming). Teaching professors often take a "sabbatical leave" once every seven years.

A. A real challenge for obedience.

B. Verse 5 & 6 - Ate that which grew naturally.

1. Undressed - not pruned.

2. Ate that which grew wild or that which grew naturally.

3. The crops which grew naturally, without cultivation, were not harvested in the regular manner, but were to be shared in common with all, each taking only what they needed for the short term.

4. The reason the Jews went into captivity is because they broke this law. Compare Lev. 26:32-35 and II Chron. 36:21.

C. It is very likely that Christian people today get too caught up in the financial arrangements of this world.

1. While Christian people today don’t go into "national" captivity, they do lose their Christianity by being to involved in the world.

2. Christian people today need to "be still and know that I am God",

D. Psalms 46:10 – What this law taught.

1. This law taught them how the poor lived.

2. How the living was in Eden.

3. This law is a practical application of faith. If Israel would really apply this law to their everyday living, they would learn the real meaning of "living by faith".

II. Verse 8-17 - Jubilee or the Year of Redemption.

A. All of the Israelites are set free.

B. All of the purchased land goes back to the original owner. (This law was established by Joshua.)

1. The price paid for the land is according to the nearness to the year of Jubilee.

2. The price we pay for possessions should be considered in the nearness to the Lord's return.

3. This law shows that our permanent possessions are in heaven.

C. Trumpets - This is not the gospel trumpet, or the rapture trumpet, but the beginning of the 1,000 year reign. The restoration of Israel to the land promised by Joshua.

D. Why did the Jubilee start on the Day of Atonement?

1. The Jubilee didn't start on the Feast of Trumpets, which was 10 days before.

2. The Feast of Trumpets announce that the Jubilee is coming.

3. The Day of Atonement announces that it's here

E. The law concerning the Jubilee stops the economy from getting so complicated.

1. All past loses are made up for.

2. All debts are paid for (and forgotten).

3. Matt. 19:27-30 - Those that have left all for God will find it returned to them.

4. The fall of man (sin) reversed.

5. The New Heaven and the New Earth.

F. Verse 18-22 - What to do about the 49th and 50th year when we don't sow or reap.

1. God will supply enough the 6th year to provide for the 7th, 8th, and 9th year.

2. Faith - Are we willing to trust our God?

3. We live like everybody else (lost people), then wonder why we don't enjoy the blessings of God.

III. Verse 23,24 - The land belongs to God, therefore, we ought to keep it all for Him.

IV. Verse 25-34 - You can't lose by serving God.

A. Verse 25-28 - Possessions can be redeemed before the Year of Jubilee.

1. He can buy it back.

2. His near kinsman can buy it back for him.

3. If a person is unable to buy it back, they can wait for the Jubilee, then it automatically goes back.

B. Dwelling house.

1. Verse 29 - A house in a walled city is not included in the Jubilee. It's the work of our hands, not of the land. It's going to be burned up.

2. When a person sells a house, he has a year to buy it back.

3. Verse 30,31 - If a house is in an unwalled city, (verse 31), it is included in the Jubilee. These houses belong to the land.

4. Verse 32,33 - The possessions of the Levites don't count. Nobody can take a house for more than 50 years.

V. Verse 35-38 - Usury

A. No interest shall be charged to a poor brother.

B. The purpose of this law is to keep all Israel working together, for the common good of all, not for the good of just the rich.

VI. Verse 39-46 -

A. Verse 39-42 - a temporary brother.

1. This is like a person who is hired to work for you.

2. In the year of Jubilee, he and his children go out because all belong to God.

B. Verse 44-46 - Slaves (not like modern day slavery).

1. Slaves are permanent possessions, for God doesn't own the heathen.

2. Slaves come from the heathen round about Israel, or from the strangers living in Israel.

3. Slaves are to be a permanent inheritance for your children.

VII. Verse 47-55 - What happens if an Israelite is sold to a stranger.

A. Verse 48-50 - He shall be redeemed by a near kinsman.

1. He shall stay with the near kinsman redeemer until the Year of Jubilee.

2. Verse 51,52 - The price shall be according to the time until the Jubilee.

B. Verse 53-55 - Treatment of the redeemed Israelite.

1. Verse 53 - He shall be treated as a hired servant, not as a slave.

2. Verse 54 - He shall go out with his children in the Year of Jubilee.