Year of Jubilee

February 21, 2008

Leviticus 25:39-40 GW
(39) "If an Israelite becomes poor and sells himself to you, don't work him like a slave.
(40) He will be like a hired worker or a visitor to you. He may work with you until the year of jubilee.

The year of jubilee was a great concept that God gave to the Israelites. God knew that they might have to sell their land to survive so he set it up that every 50th year the land would resort back to its original owner. If you were to sell it to someone, the fact that he may only have 10 years left before it came back to you would have to factor into the purchase price.

More importantly, God knew that they would also have to sell themselves as slaves. Since they were God's property, God wanted the Israelites to know that in the year of Jubilee, they were to be set free as well. All the debts that they had sold themselves for were to be paid off and the person was to be free again.

Some of us when we became Christians have not strayed at all. I wish I could say that I had not. At one point I was mad at God for not giving me what I wanted in life. I was unhappy with the situation that had developed in my marriage and I did not see God doing anything to fix it at a speed I wanted. I ran away from my marriage and my God. I sold myself to Satan for the price of my personal happiness. After a while though, I found I was not happy. How could God take me back? I found that God would. Like the slave in the year of Jubilee, I was forgiven of my debts and was able to walk back in freedom. Jesus had paid for that. He was my Jubilee.

My words are inadequate to convey it I know. Michael Card wrote a song about it a few years ago. I could not find the words to it, but if you have some time, take a look and listen to the song, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d1VCfYdI4E). It starts a couple of minutes in so be patient. He has to introduce the band members.

If you are struggling with some sin in your life. Jesus is your Jubilee. Take a hold of that today.

Read through the Bible in one year in Historical order
Today
Leviticus 24:1-25:55
Tomorrow
Leviticus 26:1-27:34

http://tinyurl.com/24beby for a daily reading tool link.