DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For October 8, 2023 : Topic – THE YEAR OF JUBILEE
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YOUTH STS
LESSON 81
THE YEAR OF JUBILEE
Memory Verse: “And ye Shall hallow the fiftieth Year, and proclaim liberty Throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants Thereof: it shall be a jubilee Unto you; and ye shall Return every man unto his possession, and ye shall Return every man unto his Family” (Leviticus 25:10).
Text: Leviticus 25:1-55
Our text reveals two of God’s closely related ordinances for The children of Israel: the sabbath year and the year of Jubilee. These ordinances were God’s tools to bring about rest For the land, release and redemption for the children of Israel. Furthermore, they were meant to be observed when the Children of Israel entered the land of Canaan. “Speak unto The children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come Into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a Sabbath unto the LORD” (Leviticus 25:2). This is part of the Commandments God gave to them regarding the Promised Land. Similarly, to continually enjoy God’s blessings, we need To obey and please Him consistently.
1. DIVINE INSTITUTION OF THE SABBATH YEAR
Leviticus 25:1-7, 18-22; Genesis 2:2,3; Exodus 23:10,1 1: Proverbs 22:29
The children of Israel were commanded to work for six years and allow the land to lie fallow on the seventh year. This year was to be a sabbath of rest for the land. The sabbath year was God’s idea; it was among, other things, God’s way of making the land to rest so as to regain its nutrients. God’s command was clear: “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 groweth 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). However, they were permitted to eat “the sabbath of the land” That is, the crops that grew of their own accord during the sabbath year could be eaten. In addition, God promised to bless them in the sixth year so that they would have enough to eat in the seventh year, eighth year and up till the ninth year (Leviticus 25:18-22). This is because they were not going to sow in the seventh year.
Question 1: What can youths learn from the divine institution of the sabbath year?
From the divine institution of the Sabbath year, some lessons can be learnt. One, God is concerned about everything He created. He instituted Sabbath for the land to enable it rest and regain its nutrients. In the same vein. He used the Sabbath year as an avenue to cater for the poor and beasts (Exodus 23:11). If God is so concerned about mere land and beasts, Christian youths should know that God cares more for them. Two, God commanded them to work consistently for six years before allowing the land to lie fallow on the Sabbath year. In the same way, God expects us to be diligent in our studies. “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men” (Proverbs 22:29). Three, the land was Test for a year after it was tilled for six years. This emphasises the principle of rest after work. Youths should take out tine to rest because adequate rest will enhance spiritual, Physical, and mental productivity. Four, there is a final and eternal rest for all saints. It is an eternal and blissful rest with God. Sinning youths should repent, backsliders should return to the Lord: and saints should remain holy so as to qualify for this eternal rest. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the name example of unbelief” (Hebrews 4.9,11).
2. DIVINE INTENTIONS OF THE YEAR OF JUBILEE
Leviticus 25:8-13, 28, 40,41,54; Romans 8:2:5 18,19; Matthew 11:28
The year of jubilee was divinely instituted; it was the year after every seventh sabbath year. The Sabbath year was very Seventh year and the year after the seventh sabbath year is the fiftieth year. “A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which growth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vineyard undressed” (verse 11). The proclamation o! jubilee Was heralded by the sounding of the trumpet of jubilee on the tenth day of the seventh month, which is the Day of Atonement. It is worthy of note that the year of jubilee actually begins on the first day of the seventh month but the activities of the year officially began on the tenth day after atonement had been made. This asserts the truth that salvation precedes true freedom. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11,12).
Question 2: Why did God institute the year of jubilee?
There are reasons God instituted the year of jubilee. One, to proclaim freedom from bondage. “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family” (Leviticus 25:10). In the year of jubilee, all Hebrew servants who were not earlier redeemed were freed. Two, the restoration of inheritance. “But if he be not able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession” (Leviticus 25:28). Those who had sold their properties, largely because of penury, could now return to their inheritance freely in the year of jubilee. reunion with the family. Those Israelites who had earlier been sold or who sold themselves to servitude were freed and who lad earlier can then be reunited freely with their family jubilee. Four, it is to be a year of rest for the land. The year of Jubilee was also a Sabbath of rest for the land. A Jubilee was also “…a Sabbath of rest shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which growth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vineyard undressed” (verse 11). This made the land to have a sum of eight years to lie fallow in a fifty-year period.
Question 3a: What is the significance of the year of jubilee to a Christian youth? 3b: How can sinners and backslidden youths enjoy the privileges of Christ’s death and resurrection?
The year of jubilee foreshadowed what Christ did for us at Calvary. Christ’s ultimate sacrifice brought us freedom from sin and satanic bondage (John 8:36; Galatians 5:1), restoration from the fall (Romans 5:18,19), reunion with God and His family (Ephesians 2:12,13,19), and rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28). Sinners and backsliders are excluded from these privileges except they return to God. They are to acknowledge, confess, repent and forsake their sins. Also, they should accept Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
3. DIVERSE INJUNCTIONS CONCERNING THE YEAR OF JUBILEE
Leviticus 25:14-17, 23-55; Deuteronomy 25:15; Psalm 24: 1; 1Timothy 6:17-19; Colossians 4:1
The divine injunctions concerning the year of jubilee can broadly be classified into two: property laws and laws regarding slaves. With regards to the property laws, the year o! jubilee was to be used as a determinant in fixing prices for the purchase of possessions. The closer the transaction was to the year of jubilee, the less the price; and vice versa (Leviticus 25:1417). This is because in the year of jubilee, The land would be returned to the owner Therefore, a land Purchased close to year of jubilee would only be used for a short duration as compared to a land that was purchased earlier, This is the principle of equity. Youths should apply this principle in all their dealings with others. More so, no land could be permanently sold because God is the Owner of all the land and the children of lsrael were to be His tenants. This shows that God owns us ad we are to live our lives only for His glory. Furthermore, God instructed them on how to handle the case of the poor Israelites who sold their possessions as a result of penury. The land could be redeemed by any of their Close relatives or by themselves. However, if there was none to redeem the land, it would return to them during the year of Jubilee. Also, they were instructed on the sale and redemption of a house within a fenced city. When a house within a fenced city was sold, the seller could redeem the land within a year, if not, the land became the permanent possession of the buyer. Such houses could not be redeemed even in the year of jubilee (Leviticus 25:29, 30). The only exception to this was the houses that belonged to the Levites (Leviticus 25:32, 33). This teaches us that not everything that is lost can be regained. Hence, youths should jealously guard their integrity and spiritual experiences so as not to lose then. Finally, the pastures of the cities belonging to the Levites were not to be sold. It was their perpetual possession. r souls, the truth Christian youths should never transact their or their spiritual birthright for worldly pleasures.
Question 4: What can we learn from God’s precepts concerning the poor Israelites and the slaves?
God also gave them some instructions concerning the impoverished and the slaves. One, the indigent Israelites were to be catered for by those who had the means. They were cautioned to fear God and avoid making merchandise of their poor brethren. Two, God gave precepts to the Israelites who had Hebrew servants not to maltreat them. Rather, they were to take them as sojourners and hired servants and not as bond servants. The Hebrew servants were to be freed in the year of jubilee. Three, they were instructed on how to handle heathen slaves. They were to serve as bondmen and bondmaids and were he perpetual possession of their Hebrew masters. They were not to be released during the year of jubilee. Four, God gave precepts concerning the heathen Who had Hebrew servants. Such servants could be redeemed by any of their close relatives or by themselves. They were to be treated as hired servants, and if nobody redeems them, They were to be released in the year of jubilee. From the foregoing, youths are to help those in need as Much as they can. Also, we are to be kind to domestic servants In our homes. Besides, youths who are saved are God’s Perpetual servants and should therefore continually remain With Him.