Every 7th year and every 50th year were supposed to be
special in Israel. Just like there were Sabbath days of rest, there were also
Sabbath years of rest. The fields and vineyards were supposed to be allowed to
lie fallow every 7th year. And, slaves
and lands were to be freed every 50th year.
That 50th year was called the Jubilee (a year of joyful sounds; a year
for joyful music). During the year of Jubilee slaves were to be given their
freedom and lands were to be returned to the family that originally owned them.
To me, the most intriguing thing about God's word to Israel
in this passage is the timing of God's supply. You would think that if God
promised to bless every 5th year's harvest enough to make it last until the 3th
year (which He did), then the people would have had no problem observing the
7th year rest. But actually, they did struggle to believe God for this. The
proof of their disobedience is found by comparing the promise and the record
(Leviticus 26:34-35, II Chronicles 36:17, 20 and 21 and Jeremiah 25:9-12). God
warned the Jews that if they didn't observe the Sabbath years; if they failed
to let the land rest, then He would have to rip them from the land. It would certainly rest without them there to
inhabit it! And, that is exactly what
ended up happening. The land eventually rested (most specifically) while the
Jews were in Babylon.
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