Leviticus Chapter 25 Discussion

Lev. 25, vrs. 35-55

These slaves become the property of the owner and can be given as an inheritance to one's children. They can be permanent slaves, but not so fellow Israelites. So, it is clear that slavery was common in these times, and God does not forbid it. These foreign persons did not possess the land by God's gift and promise like the Israelites. So, being slaves may have made it possible to live among the Israelites for generations.

Next, God speaks of a sojourner or stranger becoming rich and an Israelite selling himself to this alien as a servant. A kinsman can redeem this person from their indenturement, providing a fair price for removing this servant from this alien's service. Then this servant will become the servant of the kinsman and be released from servitude in the Jubilee year. The servant and his family are all released and can return to their family and land possession.

At the end of the chapter, God emphasizes again that the Israelites are HIS servants, because He redeemed them from slavery in Egypt.

God's statutes concerning the 7th and 50th year Sabbaths show God's concern for the poor and needy, He wants them to be able to work for their keep as servants (Israelites) or slaves (foreigners) so that they will not be destitute. God wants masters to be kind and not overbearing or harsh with those they hire or acquire as slave. They are to be willing to release these people from indebtedness in the Jubilee year, but can keep foreign slaves indefinitely.

These statutes, when followed should promote concern for the welfare of all people and also curb materialism and people setting up large holdings of land and servants. They are to possess the land allotted to them by God and release the land purchased from others in the Jubilee Year. These statutes should train the Israelites to be contented with their allotment and not covet more than what God has proscribed. Debts are completely forgiven in the Jubilee year and servants set free.

Leviticus Chapter 25, verses 35-55

The first part of this chapter dealt with how the Israelites are to give the land "rest" every 7 years and every 50th year.

This last half of the chapter deals with how the Israelites are to deal with one another in the Sabbath years.

Verse 35 begins by requiring the Israelites to help each other when one become poor, just as they are to do for the strangers or those passing through (sojourners). Taking care of the poor is prominent in this chapter as God does not want His people to be destitute nor a great disparity between the rich and poor. Since He promised to bless them abundantly, there would be plenty for them to share with others in need, even to the point of having a poor person live with you.

God speaks about indebtedness and that one is not to charge interest or practice usury. When caring for the poor, especially if their is need for them to live with you, one is not to charge them for staying at one's house, for food, and certainly not charging interest. This practice keeps those who have wealth from exploiting the poor.

God goes on to speak of a neighbor who, due to poverty, wishes to become an indentured servant to a neighbor of means. God says that he can sell himself to you as a worker, but one cannot compel one to be a slave because they are not to own one another. This servant will be paid for his work and will be released from any monetary obligations in the Jubilee year and be freed from further service. In the Jubilee, this servant will depart the household with his family and return to his family and the family land possession.

The LORD emphasized in verse 42 that these servants are His servants who He brought out of slavery in Egypt, therefore they cannot be sold as slaves. As a master, one is not to rule over them with rigor or harsh treatment of unreasonable work demands. However, the Israelites could own slaves from the people of other nations who live among them. Adults and children can be slaves

Leviticus Chapter 25, verses 1-34 Be Fair and Honest in Land Deals

God commanded that the Israelites deal fairly and honestly when transactioning land deals. If one sold a piece of land, in the Jubliee Year he is to redeem the land back at a reasonable price. If one bought a piece of land he was to sell it back at a reasonable price. The Israelites were not allowed to sell any land permanently. God set out the statutes for the civil dealings concerning land use and sales. The Israelites were not allowed to think up and enact their own system of business dealings concerning the transfer of land. God knew they would oppress one another if they devised their own system.

If one was too poor to redeem their land that was sold, a near kinsmen can redeem it back for this person. This was the case of Ruth and Boaz. It is also the case of mankind and Jesus. We are sinners and destitute before God. We cannot redeem ourselves. But God ordained before the creation of the world to redeem for Himself a people through His Son incarnated. Jesus in related to God in the Godhead as a Son of God, and He is related to us in His incarnation in His humanity, the perfect kinsman-redeemer.

The Israelites would receive the promised blessings if they kept His statutes in this chapter.

Interestingly, those who lived in houses within walls (city dwellers/workers) could own their homes indefinitely and the Jubilee year requirement did not apply to them.

In the Old Testament the place of God's favor and blessing was to be in the land promised. In the New Testament, the place of God's favor and blessings is to be in Christ. Instead of God being present in the land of Canaan, our Lord and God, Jesus Christ is present in us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He owns us, we are His workmanship. Our hearts are the place that God plants the seed of eternal life by His word. This seed brings forth a fruitful life abiding in the vine of Christ, our Savior.

How Great is Our God!

Leviticus Chapter 25, verses 1-34 continued

The poor were not able to store up from a harvest from the year preceding the Sabbath like those who did own land. So, God provided for them to eat of what grew up on its own in the fields. But God did promise that the year preceding the Sabbath would be exceedingly bountiful enough to supply enough food to get through the Sabbath year. The land was to "rest" from being farmed. The farmer was not to work in the fields or vineyard, which was their primary occupation. Verse 6 says the farmers, the servants, and the animals could eat of the produce of the field, but they were not to harvest the field as they would do normally. They were to gather what they could for meals, but leave the rest of the produce to the animals and poor. They were to primarily use the food stored and preserved from the preceding year as the bulk of their food source.

Every 50th year was a special Sabbath year called a Jubilee, beginning on the Day of Atonement (in September-October). The previous year's harvest would have been completed and preserved for the whole year until the next Day of Atonement. God's promise was that the preceding year would be super-abundant, providing enough food for three years time.

One of the statutes given concerning the Jubilee was that any land that was sold was to be returned to the original owner. This preserved the alottments of lands for each tribe to remain intact. It allowed for the Israelites to make a fresh start. They can remember how God had brought them into the land against all odds and enemies and gave them each a portion of the land for each tribe/family. So, in returning land to the original owner/family, they can remember how they came to possess the land. It was a gift, given by a promise from God. They should be thankful and not greedy. They should want all of their countrymen to prosper in the land. They should not be oppressive to anyone who needed to sell their land, but freely return the land

Leviticus Chapter 25, verses 1-34 The Sabbath Rest for the Land God Owns

This whole chapter addresses the Sabbath, principally the 7th and 50th year Sabbaths. These Sabbaths lasted an entire year.

Canaan was a land that God blessed to be a fruitful place for His people to farm and live. Like the Garden of Eden, Canaan was specifically created for His chosen people. God promised to dwell in the land with His people as He did with Adam and Eve in Eden. The difference is that Eden was a lush garden, easily fruitful without much toil. But Canaan existed in a very arid part of the world where it would be desert if not for God's blessing, care, providence, and activity to send rain and cause the land to bring forth a reliable, plentiful harvest each year. The Israelites needed to depend on God for this blessing. They needed to follow His commands and rules for farming the land.

They needed to acknowledge that the LORD owned the land, not them. It was theirs to abide in and control independently of other nations, but it was God who brings them into the land and will take them out of it again when they fall into grave disobedience and idolatry. Verse 23 says that the land shall not be sold permanently because it is His and the Israelites are strangers and sojourners, there only by God's decree.

Verses 1-35 speak of how the Israelites are to keep the 7th and 50th year Sabbaths concerning the land. Verse 18-19 say, "So you shall observe My statutes and keep my judgments, and perform them; and you will dwell in the land in safety. Then the land will yield its fruits, and you will eat your fill, and dwell there safely."

In each of the two types of Sabbaths, no work is to be done in the fields, no pruning, no tilling up of the soil, no planting of seeds, no harvesting, no gleaning of that which "volunteered" through natural seeding and fruits continuing to produce on vines and trees. The poor and the livestock were free to eat in the fields. They did not own land.

This introduction to the Book is given by the Apostle John, when he was exiled on the isle of Patmos. He declares that the prophetical message he is about to share with the Churches & believers in general, comes from Jesus Christ Himself, given to Him by God, & delivered to John by Jesus' messenger.

Though the statement within it, "which must shortly come to pass" has caused concern amongst some that the events of the Great Tribulation & the Anti-Christ have still not happened after all these centuries, we need to understand this Book as giving a revelation of the condition of the Church in these last days & the increasing deterioration of society leading up to this final judgement. In other words, unlike what the 'prophets of today' tell us, who give us hope that our lives are becoming better & the world is in much better shape, God's Word tells us that ever since Calvary, we have been on the decline, as the Cross has set the demarcation line separating those running to it in faith for salvation & those who violently oppose that Work. Technology & man's knowledge may have increased, giving us a more comfortable lifestyle, but his rejection of God's Love in Jesus, has marked him as very unwise & destitute of the Truth leading him to utter ruin, his judgement & the coming final closure of the age.

What does revelation 1 verse one mean?

The Year of Jubilee for Israel, came after the completion of 49 years (i.e. on the 50th year). And during this year, people were released from their debts, slave owners had to grant freedom to their slaves, & property returned back to the owners. It was a year basically dedicated to rest - similar to the institution of the Sabbath, the 7th day of the week as a rest day for Israel. So even those with farms & crops had to desist from working - so it was a time for both the man & the land to recover (there were Sabbath years as well for the resting of the land) & maybe people would attend to the more weightier matters of life.

And for the Christian, the Year of Jubilee foreshadows Christ's future work at the Cross. Through His death & resurrection, the sinner coming in repentance & faith, is also relieved from the punishment due to us & being enslaved to sin - finding our complete & eternal rest in Christ alone.

what does the year of jubilee means

Where in the Bible does it say that 7 years prior to the tribulation there will be a caught up to meet the Lord in the air ?

Also when they do meet the Lord in the air , where are they going ? Answer to Jerusalem, or forever in the clouds you pick . The Lord is going to reign so yes we are forever with the Lord where he is .

I agree.

Chris, who teaches in here every day, will be back soon. I hope you will meet him and tell him your testimony. He's very knowledgeable about Catholicism, and what it all means. A very good person.

I do not want to be contrary, but there are scriptures that are coming to mind.

Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

God says by his prophet that he will tell his people (Israel) what is to come to pass before it happens. Things coming to pass would include both the blessings and judgement. No prophet from between Malachi and Jesus has predicted the extreme and severe and by my heart horrific events that many Jewish believers have suffered.

Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like

unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

This Prophet , Jesus, fulfilled this passage. It is from this Prophet, Jesus Christ on that will predict what is yet to come to pass before it passes for all people including all Jews and Gentiles.

Hi, I believe Luke was a proselyte for what it's worth.

Carleton

As Mishael said it is hideous and I agree. And yes, I do not suggests that many should see the same thing, as it is very upsetting. I imagine if there are two forgotten old churches that have not removed their caskets from the public's view that there are more.

Carleton

not sure why you would look for those. Jesus was never in a casket, and He is alive.

Yes, very heinous indeed! I was a practicing Catholic for 33 years and when the Lord led me through His word I was horrified when I realized the idolatry in which I had participated...I wept bitter tears but praise God, I am forgiven! The last time I had to attend a mass for a funeral, I was happy to find that I can no longer recite the mass in robotic fashion as I had since I was a child. Even though I had not participated verbally in 20 years, your mind can't help but follow along because it is so ingrained.

Praise God for His word and the freedom He gives!!!!

I was taught your belief, and it came from JN Darby of the Plymouth brethren back in the 1830s . The Christians like George Miller of Bristol rejected this whole made up fabrication way back then . Scofield Bible promoted this heresy and it became popular among many but still a heresy .

Your opening statement is false , the Apostles where all Jewish the first church that was Jewish too Peter preached to those that actually crucified the Lord in the book of acts 3000 or more converted mostly Jews .

Salvation is to Jews and gentiles . Even to this day , yes some inpart rejected the Messiah , but not all . Israel in whole will be restored when Jesus returns in Glory . So much more could be said . But this doctrine you put forth is false and many believe it to their own damage.

Jeremiah 2:34

Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.

Jeremiah 19:4

Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;

See also Jeremiah 31:15 This happened in Bethlehem after Mary and Joseph had left to flee into Egypt because Herod was seeking to kill newborn Jesus.

How hideous! I did not know of such things. I once worked in an office with a catholic priest. I remarked on a picture of Jesus he had on his desk, and he launched into a full demonstration of his relics.

I lived in New Mexico 15 years. Not much to do there. That's where I first met Jesus.

Where in the bible is the outcry of the slaughter of the innocence? Also for people to make a choice before theirs words fall upon death ears.

I have walked inside of the old Catholic Church building in the old part of Albuquerque, NM and up front is a casket in a glass case and inside the casket is a replica of Jesus. I have also seen this same presentation at another old Catholic Church building in the bottom of the Copper Canyon in Mexico. The body (replica) of Jesus still in the casket in both places. Are there more?

Perhaps someone has an answer how this could be?

Carleton

Yes, we are there now!

The Harvest has been ongoing. I believe the Holy Spirit is that; He sets up divine appointments. Especially if someone is praying for another's salvation.

When I got saved I was heavily into evangelizing. I still am. I can do it in the prayer room and I can pray to the Lord of the Harvest to bring us all in range of each other.

I got a lot to pray about. I finally watched that movie: the Passion, made by Mel Gibson. Very violent. I'm thinking about all the Catholics coming in here with so many questions about what they believe in and, what we believe in. We need to pray for a revival in that church before it's too late.

Rituals don't work too well. Only knowing.

I hope Chris comes back soon. He knows all about what they are taught. That's why all of the Body of Christ needs each other. Jesus is counting on us to learn ways to reach the lost. To care about their mortal souls. My neighbor is older too, Catholic, and she's perfectly happy that nobody tells her to repent.

I even wish Bob Hilt would come back and use his scripture location memory to minister to Catholics (instead of the Jews).

All we can do is let Jesus know we're available to learn something new.

Hi, Will the sceptre return to Judah when the Messiah returns? Is the tribe of Judah still honored by it's brethren as Jacob promised, in the position of the tribes. I think this promise was to be unbroken.

I am interested to understand this promise because I believe that when the Messiah comes again, time will be no more, only the harvest.

Carleton

I have seen Psalms 79:6 alternatively been rendered as "Pour our They wrath upon the heathen" and "Pour out They wrath upon the nations"

What could be the significance of the difference between these two words?

John 5;47...but if ye belive not his [moses] writings how shall ye belive my words?....faith is at the root of this...trusting in god...

When I read your question, it is a typical one that comes up when you buy into the-sensationalism-of-dispensationalism. However, if you are interested in studying the plan of redemption, from Genesis-through-Revelation (both the FIRST testament, and the SECOND testament), you will find that a c-a-r-e-f-u-l study of the book as a book of instruction shows how the Father and Son had these things inspired for a reason. Did your question come up when King James, and the Bible students of his day put together the 66 books of scripture?

Blessings in your study,

Kurt

What is the purpose of reading understanding Leviticus in these days with the living Jesus Christ is among us?

Please try to explain in depth your answer.

Thanks

Seems as though God had a reason for telling his people not to eat meat that has been killed buy another animal. My take is for us not to get sick, and also because God only wants food for our consumption to be pure because we are to be pure.

Thanks

Jubilee is every 50 years. Google when the last one was.

Read Leviticus 25:1-55 And 27:18

Luke 4:18