Leviticus 25: 8-54 records the year of Jubilee.

This came after every 7 cycles of 7 sabbatical years; (7 x 7years = 49 years). The 50th year was the climax of all sabbatical years, the year of Jubilee.  7 signifies completeness. Both the land and the people rested and labour ceased for one year. **Labour signifies legalism/human effort**

Everything started fresh in this year: All debts were cancelled, properties returned to their original owners and slaves were set free. This special sabbatical year represents the rest that we find when we come to Christ, all human effort (legalism) ceases for we cannot attain salvation by our good works. When we come to Christ, we enter into His rest.

In this year of peace and rest (Peace and rest are synonymous in the Bible), the following happened:

v9: The trumpet/the rams horn was blown on the 10th day of the 7th month (Day of atonement):

• Day of atonement represented universal redemption/salvation.
• Blowing the rams horn or trumpet represented celebration/rejoicing.
• In Christ we find our salvation/redemption and joy.

***Matthew 11:28 – A call for those who need rest**Hebrews 10:4 – Records the eternal rest awaiting us***

v10: It was an year of consecration and proclamation of liberty/freedom.

• This means it was an year of being dedicated/devoted to God.
• In this year all debts were cancelled and slaves were set free (v23….down).
• In Christ, according to Colossians 2:13-14: Our debt of sin was paid in full on the cross. The record of debts that stood against us with its legal demands, Jesus set it aside by nailing it on the cross.

v10: In this year, people were to return to their family property.

• It is an year of going back to our eternal family (we have been adopted into God’s family)

v11-12: In this year there was no sowing, reaping and harvesting the untended vines (wild vines). The Israelites were to eat only what grew directly from the fields.

• It was an year of holiness, not partaking of wild vines, buy only what was considered holy.

v13: In this year, everyone returned to their own property.

• This represents to God’s given position, inheritance and calling.

v14 and 17: No one was supposed to take advantage of another in this year.

• It was an year of exercising justice.

v18: It was an year of following God’s decrees, obeying His laws.

• In doing so, the Israelites were to enjoy safety.

v19-22:  It was an year of divine providence, for God commanded the land to yield fruits by itself on the 6th year (of the 48th year). The land would yield enough for 3 years – 49th, 50th and 51st years.

• An year of abundance.

v23:  In this year, the Israelites were to remember that the land they lived in belonged to God. They were foreigners and strangers in His land.

• They were to walk in gratitude to God.
• Everything they had was given, and they were just stewards.

v25, 35, 39: Those who were rich were to redeem those Israelites who had become poor or in debts. They were to work for the rich as paid workers and not as slaves. On the 5oth year, they would be released back.

• They were to carry each others burdens.

Christ is our Jubilee, and in him we enjoy all the benefits of Jubilee.

Ch. Stephen.