Leviticus 25:54-27:13
How good to look on to that better day for Israel — the true jubilee — when the Lord will give His people happy possession of the land under His hand in true freedom, and then what rejoicing there will be.
There is also a beautiful application of this year of jubilee to us, when we think of the Lord’s coming for His church. As the year of jubilee drew near in Israel the value of the land decreased, for if a man bought a piece of land two years before the jubilee, it was only his for two years and then it went back to its original owner. He would, therefore, only pay a small price for it at such a time. As we realize the nearness of the Lord’s coming, we put a lower value on things here which we are so soon to leave behind. When the trumpet sounds for us, we will leave this sin-ruined scene forever, to be with and like our blessed Saviour. Let us not become attached to it as though we were here to stay!
Solemn Warnings
In the twenty-sixth chapter we have the solemn warnings to Israel that if they did not walk in obedience to the statutes of the Lord, nor keep His Sabbaths, He would have to punish them. First, however, He tells them of the rich blessings He would pour upon them if they walked in obedience. He promised He would give them rain and fruitful seasons, and keep their land in peace from their enemies. Then, above all, He would dwell among them and be their God, but if they refused to walk in His ways, He said He would have to deal with them in their land. If they still refused to hearken to His voice through famine, disease and pestilence, then He would cause them to be carried away captive by their enemies, and then the land would “rest.” Surely this has happened to Israel nationally, for today they are scattered all over the earth, but now, once again, they are back in their land, though still in unbelief. We may be assured, however, that they will not get the promised blessings until they own their guilt and turn to the Lord. This they will do when He appears as their Deliverer. We find the gracious promise of this in the end of the chapter, and how God Himself delights to look forward to the time when He can bless His people according to His own purposes, and in fulfillment of those unconditional promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, long ago. God never forgets His promises and He cannot lie.
Vows
In the next chapter we have the question of vows and of redeeming land, brought before us. If a man made a vow, he was not to alter or change it, but to pay according to the priest’s valuation. Surely this reminds us of the Lord Jesus who came to earth to pay that which the children of Israel vowed and could not pay. He took their place and went to the cross to pay their debt of sin that they might be free. We notice that when a vow was redeemed, a fifth part was to be added to it, and so the blessed Lord Jesus not only met Israel’s guilt as law breakers (and ours, too, through grace), but He has brought added glory to God through His wondrous work. Israel only valued Him at thirty pieces of silver, but, blessed be His name, it is not a question of Israel’s valuation, nor of yours or mine, but it is the value that God has put upon His work that really counts. God has shown His full and complete satisfaction in that Christ is now risen and seated at His own right hand in heaven.
For Further Meditation
1. How can the year of jubilee be applied to a Christian?
2. This chapter mentions that the Lord Jesus brought added glory to God when He took care of Israel’s guilt. In what ways did He do that wonderful work?
3. You can find lots more on the jubilee by searching for “jubilee” at bibletruthlibrary.org.