Leviticus 25:2-55 Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When you come into the land which I give you… I. THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION OF GOSPEL LIBERTY AND REST (see Luke 4:18-21). II. THE BELIEVER'S PRIVILEGED LIFE OF SACRED RELEASE AND JOY (cf. Ephesians 1:13, 14; Hebrews 4:9; Hebrews 8:12). III. THE MILLENNIAL AGE, OF ESTABLISHED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE (see Isaiah 66:18-23; Revelation 20:2-5). IV. THE HEAVENLY STATE OF ETERNAL SECURITY AND SERENITY (see 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 21:4). In the application of the jubilee incidents to each of these grand fulfilments of its symbolism, the following facts stand out clearly: — 1. Bounty. God gave a supernatural abundance the year preceding the jubilee, that in the enjoyment of vast supplies there should be no necessity for toil, no occasion for care (see ver. 21). And assuredly there is(1) Bounty in the provisions of the gospel (1 Timothy 1:14). (2) Fulness of grace for the believer in Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:15; Titus 3:6). (3) Abundance of good to be enjoyed in the millennial age (Psalm 72:7). (4) Limitless bliss in the heavenly land (Psalm 16:2), 2. Rest. That sabbatic year was to be consecrated to repose; the land was to be allowed to rest; the toiler was to cease from toil. Every want was supplied without the weariness of labour. Equally true of the — (1) Gospel rest which Christianity announces (Matthew 11:29). (2) Believer's rest which faith secures (Hebrews 4:3). (3) Millennial rest for a wearied Church (Revelation 20:2, 3). (4) Heavenly rest for Christ's redeemed followers (Revelation 14:13). 3. Liberty. All bondservants were set free the moment the jubilee trumpet sounded (vers. 39-44). And assuredly this finds verification in the — (1) Liberty which Christ proclaimed to souls enslaved in sin and fear (Luke 4:18; Hebrews 2:15). (2) Spiritual freedom realised by faith (Romans 8:15; John 8:36). (3) Emancipation from thraldom which shall distinguish the millennial reign (Isaiah 49:8, 9). (4) Glorious liberty of the children of God in heaven (Romans 8:21; Revelation 21:24, 25). 4. Restitution. If the Israelite had parted with his inheritance, its possession was restored to him in the year of jubilee, and that without payment (vers. 25-37). So — (1) The redemption of Christ recovers for man all that sin had forfeited. (2) Believers in Jesus regain all the virtue, happiness, and hopes which the fall had ruined. (3) The weary and wronged world would enjoy paradisal gladness through Christ's millennial sway. (4) Heaven will realise all which on earth had been desired, and restore all which death had desolated. V. Let it be marked that the jubilee, with all its blessings, was CONSEQUENT UPON ATONEMENT. Not till the blood of expiation had been shed, and the living goat had borne into the land of oblivion the sins which (ceremonially) had been transferred to it, did the silver trumpets peal forth their exultant notes, proclaiming liberty and rest, restitution and rectitude for the people. And it is because of Christ's atonement that — (1) Christianity has come to sinful man, with all its tidings of good and wealth of salvation (John 1:29; Ephesians 1:6). (2) Spiritual blessings are inherited by the believer in Jesus (Romans 5:11). (3) The Church will enjoy the sabbatic millennial glory (Revelation 19:11-14). (4) Heaven will be the eternal possession of the redeemed (Revelation 8:14-17). (W. H. Jellie.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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