An advertisement got me to thinking about the year of release God commanded the Israelites to observe, known in Hebrew as the Shemitah.
2.) Release from farming
3.) Release from distraction
It is interesting that not only does God tell His people to set aside one day each week to focus on Him, one year in every 7 is also set aside for this purpose. Our daily toil, whatever form that may take, is a distraction at times from our relationship with the LORD.
Can you imagine an entire year where very little work was needed and that extra time could be spent in God's presence and allowing Him to speak directly to your heart through His Word?
In today's society, we often take vacations to "get away from it all."
How about a vacation to "get away from it all" and get with God?
The next Shemitah year is fast approaching. According to the Jewish calendar, it begins at Rosh Hashanah this year. In 2014, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins Wednesday September 24 at sundown.
The New Year celebration takes place over 2 days. The sound of a shofar is heard 100 times on each of those days. If you remember, in the days of Moses and the young nation of Israel, the shofar was used as a declaration of praise to the LORD and as a means of calling the people together.
During the Jewish New Year celebration, Jewish people often greet one another with, "L'shana tovah tikatev v'etahetem," meaning, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."
Not only is the New Year approaching, this year is very special. It is the Shemitah, the year of release. I recently marked my 47th birthday. Next year will be the year of jubilee, probably the only one I will experience in my lifetime, since the next will be 50 years from now.
Let me ask you something. What would you like to be released from? The Shemitah, the year of release, is not just something unique to Judaism. The year has been set aside by God for a purpose. Whether you are Jew or Gentile, God wants to release you from whatever chains are holding you.
You might be thinking, "Well, I'm saved. I've been forgiven. There's no chains holding me." Are you sure about that? We all have hurts, habits and hang-ups. You know yours. I know mine. Do you carry around unforgiveness, bitterness or pride? Are there some past hurts or past sins you just can't seem to shake?
Let's walk in the freedom Christ purchased for us at the cross.
I pray that this Shemitah, beginning September 24th at sundown, is truly a year of release for me and for you.
If you don't know Jesus yet, find out about Him and what He has done for you right now. Don't wait. Visit peacewithgod.net to find out more.
The Shemitah (year of release), observed every 7 years (Deuteronomy 15) is not the same as the year of jubilee (see Leviticus 25). According to Leviticus 25,they were to mark off 7 Shemitahs, then celebrate the jubilee the following year.
So, what is this year of release all about?
3 types of release were commanded by God:
1.) Release from creditors
"Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord's release. Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release" (Deut 15:2-3).
2.) Release from farming
"Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof;But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard" (Lev 25:3-4).
3.) Release from distraction
"Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years. And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat of the old store" (Lev 25:21-22).
It is interesting that not only does God tell His people to set aside one day each week to focus on Him, one year in every 7 is also set aside for this purpose. Our daily toil, whatever form that may take, is a distraction at times from our relationship with the LORD.
Can you imagine an entire year where very little work was needed and that extra time could be spent in God's presence and allowing Him to speak directly to your heart through His Word?
In today's society, we often take vacations to "get away from it all."
How about a vacation to "get away from it all" and get with God?
The next Shemitah year is fast approaching. According to the Jewish calendar, it begins at Rosh Hashanah this year. In 2014, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins Wednesday September 24 at sundown.
The New Year celebration takes place over 2 days. The sound of a shofar is heard 100 times on each of those days. If you remember, in the days of Moses and the young nation of Israel, the shofar was used as a declaration of praise to the LORD and as a means of calling the people together.
During the Jewish New Year celebration, Jewish people often greet one another with, "L'shana tovah tikatev v'etahetem," meaning, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."
Not only is the New Year approaching, this year is very special. It is the Shemitah, the year of release. I recently marked my 47th birthday. Next year will be the year of jubilee, probably the only one I will experience in my lifetime, since the next will be 50 years from now.
Let me ask you something. What would you like to be released from? The Shemitah, the year of release, is not just something unique to Judaism. The year has been set aside by God for a purpose. Whether you are Jew or Gentile, God wants to release you from whatever chains are holding you.
You might be thinking, "Well, I'm saved. I've been forgiven. There's no chains holding me." Are you sure about that? We all have hurts, habits and hang-ups. You know yours. I know mine. Do you carry around unforgiveness, bitterness or pride? Are there some past hurts or past sins you just can't seem to shake?
Let's walk in the freedom Christ purchased for us at the cross.
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal 5:1).
I pray that this Shemitah, beginning September 24th at sundown, is truly a year of release for me and for you.
If you don't know Jesus yet, find out about Him and what He has done for you right now. Don't wait. Visit peacewithgod.net to find out more.
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