Leviticus 25:1-7 - Have a good rest

We now get instructions on Sabbaths and Jubilee years, and can see more of the principle behind these things.

The land as well as the people had to be given a Sabbath. The way we live affects the world we live in, including the physical world. In Romans 8 Paul says that the whole of creation is waiting for the fulness of our salvation. The land had to be given a rest every seven years. Now I am in no way an eco-nut, but we would do well to take account of this. Over exploitation of anything is detrimental in the long run. The earth is there for us to make use of, to have dominion over, to obtain a harvest from it, but we are also to take care of the earth. In the sabbath year the land would still produce something of its own accord, and the people could use this for food.

The Sabbath principle acknowledges that we are not in control of everything, we are dependent upon the Lord, and we can trust Him completely.

On a more general level, there is an increasing pressure in business and in society. Sometimes we just need to slow down. We think that if we do not keep on running full pelt everything will fall apart. We even apply this to "spiritual" things. It is not true. The world can take an occasional break from you. Indeed, the world would appreciate the occasional rest from you! Try it and see. You will be surprised, and find that you actually become more fruitful, and more of a blessing to the world.