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PRESSING THE RESET BUTTON (LEVITCUS 25:1-17)

The laws concerning the Sabbatical and Jubilee years given to the Israelites to be observed in their newly promised land.

REFLECTION 

‘Pressing  the reset button’ is the theme for our reflection today. To reset means to move something back to an original place or position. It may also mean to start afresh. We shall discover that a critical study of the law concerning the weekly observation of Sabbath according to Exodus 20:8 has two important factors. The first is to ensure that human beings and animals used for farm work rest and secondly, believers honour God, meditate on His Word and reflect on their relationship with Him. In the same manner, today’s Scripture extends the law of the Sabbath to every seventh year and the focus is to allow the land used for farming to remain fallow for a year (Leviticus 25:1-4). Obviously as the land remains fallow the farmer and animals used for farming will rest. The society then focuses on their relationship with one another and their relationship with God. Imagine returning to work after a whole year fully revitalised emotionally, physically, psychologically and spiritually. The process of achieving the aforementioned Sabbatical importance is what we refer to as pressing the reset button. Learning to press the reset button allows us to overcome the stress and mental health issues we go through as a result of continuous work in a stressful environment.

 Many believers focus so much on their work to the extent that they have little or no attention for their health and their relationship with God. It is important to take a break after days, weeks and years of continuous work. God is able to provide all our needs during our time of break. The Israelites were instructed that during the time of the Sabbath the fallow land will produce food on its own for them to eat, they need not work it (Leviticus 25: 5-7). This the act of trusting God to supply our needs according to His grace and divine providence. Anxiety makes people doubt their faith in God, some people chase after endless acquisition of wealth by working day and night without resting and having time for their health, spiritual lives and family. Jesus teaches us that “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:31-34)

Again, today’s Scripture reading points us to the fact that after observing the Seven  Sabbath years continuously, the year after the Seventh Sabbath year in the series of Seven years should be marked as the year of Jubilee. In other words, seven by seven is forty-nine. The forty-ninth year is the last Sabbath year of the series of seven years and the year after the forty-ninth year is the Jubilee year which marks the fiftieth (50th) year. The purpose of the Jubilee year is also for rest and the declaration of liberty to all Jews and Jewish slaves and the return of properties to debtors. Creditors must give debtors access to their lands and give them time to defray debt owed the creditor. The debt shall be paid with crops the debtors shall harvest from his or her land until the debt amount is fully paid. (Leviticus 25:8-17). The celebration of Jubilee and its significance of liberty to all people who have lost property or have become slaves as a result of their indebtedness is likened to pressing the reset button. They are able to start life afresh, pay off their debts repossess their land and work their way to prosperity. The point is that we should help others revive their lives, we must not be beneficiaries of people’s predicament. In other words, we are admonished as believers not to enslave people because of their poverty, vulnerability and indebtedness to us. We must endeavour to help one another succeed in life. Jesus brought us liberty therefore we must come to a level in life where we are able to forgive others and help them out of their misery because of our faith and salvation in Jesus. Shalom. 

PRAYER

MERCIFUL GOD RETORE US AND ENABLE US TO HELP OTHERS FIND THEIR RESET BUTTON SO THAT TOGETHER WE SHALL ALL CONTINUALLY RELY ON YOU FOR OUR SUSTENANCE AND SALVATION. 

JEAN-PAULAGIDI (Rev)