Law – Leviticus 25-27

In recent years, certain sectors of the east have seen a property boom. In particular, 2 new condominium projects in my neighbourhood have made newspaper headlines within a space of 6 months. If it’s anything to go by, the property market seems to be holding its own while other sectors are struggling to keep up.

What has this to do with Leviticus? In a spiritual sense, there is something for us to learn. Before we get to that, we’ll do our reading for the day:

Bible Passage:  Leviticus 25 – 27

Through much persistence, we have finally reached the concluding reading of Leviticus. It is a strange way to end the reading, given the 3 chapters we’re doing today. Nevertheless, thank God, we’ve made it thus far. In every sense of the word, this book has been quite a read hasn’t it?

We have noted the various offerings and sacrifices required by God.

We have delved into the holy office of the priests.

We have considered the permissibility of clean and unclean animals.

We have pondered over the moral, ceremonial, and cleanliness laws.

We have been informed of the great feasts of the Lord.

Throughout all these that we have gained, we have also obtained insight into the legal methods and regulations of the nation of old-Israel. Today’s reading shows us that priests were more than sanitation engineers who checked for leprosy. We get to see that the priests were also astute accountants and respectable real estate agents! (Truly truly, what more could a priest ask for, given that he held an office that covered the gamut of career choices!)

Jubilation in the Jubilee

Lev 25 introduces the concept of the Jubilee Year. This occurs on the 50^th year of Israel’s entry into the Promised Land, and was to be kept at 50-year intervals. The Jubilee is a time for rejoicing and cheer, a period of well-needed and well-deserved rest and release for the individual, as well as for the nation at large. Individuals who were bounded by contract law would see a release and redemption of what they sold off, while the land in its literal sense would receive rest from all the agricultural tilling.

The Lord Himself would bring forth and multiply the produce of Canaan, without even having the Israelites work their backs into a pulp. He would bring a complete tri-fold harvest such that the people would have an abundance beyond their logical comprehension.

At the same time, the properties that were traded back and forth prior to the Jubilee would be readied for their return to the able-bodied original owners. In that sense, the properties had a 49-year leasehold, and would be returned on the 50^th year. In a way, this was to keep check of the entire country, such that no one would be caught at the bottom of the economic cauldron. Everyone would have what was his, only because the Lord Himself gave this Land to His people, and no one should be left behind in the possession of it (cf. Lev 25:38).

More than property, the lives of people would also see a release and rejoicing in the 50^th year. During the Jubilee, hired servants would be unconditionally released on account of the Lord’s mercy and justice. It is clearly put to us in Lev 25:54-55, for the children of Israel belong to God and not to the earthly master.

Joyous Jubilee

The Jubilee was spiritually fulfilled in the first coming of Christ. When He came, the debts of men were all forgiven by one stroke of His sacrifice. And by that offering, we were released from the slavery to sin.

At the same time, He tells us that we ought to do the things He wills for us to do (cf. 1 John 3:9-10) just as the commandments were necessary for the Israelites in Lev 26.

In that way, we will be preserved for His 2^nd Coming, when the Ultimate Jubilee is fulfilled once again. At that moment, there will be the fulfilment of the 49-year leasehold as we trade in our earthly properties and earthly lives for an eternal heavenly mansion above. That coming Jubilee will bring to us an eternal leasehold for that inheritance above will be of a spiritual glory.

Indeed, this is a joyous way to bring our reading of Leviticus to a close as we look forward to His 2^nd Coming, when we will all be released from the binds of this mundane life in exchange for glory with Him above!