Leviticus 25:6

Whatever the land yields during the Sabbath year shall be food for you--for yourself, your manservant and maidservant, the hired hand or foreigner who stays with you,

Study Bible

Whatever the land yields during the Sabbath year
The Sabbath year, also known as the Sabbatical year or Shemitah, occurs every seventh year, as commanded in Leviticus 25:1-7. During this year, the land is to lie fallow, and the Israelites are to trust in God's provision. This practice emphasizes reliance on God rather than human effort. It also serves as a reminder of the creation week, where God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3). The land's natural yield during this time is a testament to God's ongoing provision and care.

shall be food for you
The produce that grows naturally without cultivation is intended to sustain the people. This provision underscores the principle of divine providence, where God supplies the needs of His people. It also reflects the manna provided in the wilderness (Exodus 16), where God supplied food without human labor. This reliance on God's provision is a precursor to the New Testament teaching of trusting God for daily needs (Matthew 6:25-34).

for yourself
The primary beneficiaries of the Sabbath year's yield are the landowners themselves. This ensures that even without active farming, the basic needs of the family are met. It highlights the personal aspect of God's care and provision for each individual.

your manservant and maidservant
Servants, who were often part of the household, are also included in this provision. This reflects the biblical principle of caring for those who work for you, ensuring that they too benefit from God's provision. It aligns with the broader biblical theme of justice and kindness towards servants (Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 4:1).

the hired hand or foreigner who stays with you
The inclusion of hired hands and foreigners demonstrates the inclusive nature of God's provision. It reflects the biblical mandate to care for the sojourner and the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:18-19). This provision foreshadows the New Testament teaching of the gospel being available to all people, Jew and Gentile alike (Galatians 3:28). It also emphasizes the community's responsibility to ensure that everyone, regardless of status or origin, is cared for during the Sabbath year.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai, including the instructions found in Leviticus.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God to whom the laws in Leviticus were given, including the instructions for the Sabbath year.

3. Mount Sinai
The place where God gave Moses the laws for the Israelites, including the instructions for the Sabbath year.

4. Sabbath Year
A year of rest for the land, occurring every seventh year, during which the land was to lie fallow, and the people were to rely on what the land naturally produced.

5. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, where these laws were to be observed.

Teaching Points

Trust in God's Provision
The Sabbath year required the Israelites to trust that God would provide for their needs without their usual agricultural efforts. This teaches us to rely on God's provision in our lives, even when we cannot see the immediate results of our labor.

Rest and Renewal
Just as the land needed rest, we too need periods of rest and renewal. This principle encourages us to incorporate regular rest into our lives, trusting that God will sustain us.

Care for the Community
The produce of the Sabbath year was for everyone, including servants, hired workers, and foreigners. This teaches us the importance of caring for our community and sharing our resources with those in need.

Stewardship of Creation
Allowing the land to rest demonstrates a respect for God's creation. We are called to be good stewards of the earth, ensuring its health and productivity for future generations.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the concept of the Sabbath year challenge our modern understanding of work and rest?

2. In what ways can we practice trusting God for our daily needs, as the Israelites were called to do during the Sabbath year?

3. How can we apply the principle of community care found in Leviticus 25:6 to our current context?

4. What are some practical ways we can incorporate rest and renewal into our lives, following the example of the Sabbath year?

5. How does the principle of stewardship in the Sabbath year inform our responsibility towards the environment today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 23:10-11
This passage also discusses the Sabbath year, emphasizing the importance of allowing the land to rest and providing for the poor and animals.

Deuteronomy 15:1-2
This passage connects to the concept of the Sabbath year by discussing the release of debts, highlighting the theme of rest and renewal.

Genesis 2:2-3
The concept of rest is rooted in the creation account, where God rested on the seventh day, establishing a pattern for the Sabbath.

Matthew 6:25-34
Jesus teaches about reliance on God for provision, which connects to the trust required during the Sabbath year when the Israelites were to depend on God's provision.