Good Morning.
Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. (Exodus 23:10-11)
In these verses Israel is given instructions in regard to the Sabbaths of the land. While more detail about these laws are given in other portions of Scripture, the intent here is to reinforce the call to help the poor and less fortunate. In Judaism it is taught that the land and the produce during the first six years of sh’mittah cycle belongs to the land owner. However, in the seventh year, it belongs to the “poor of your people” along with beasts and strangers.
The sh’mittah, along with the weekly Sabbath, is an interruption of man’s normal activity. Just as mankind is to rest weekly, the land is “released” from its labor every seven years and allowed to rest, demonstrating God’s kindness and consideration to all of His Creation. In this manner, both are refreshed and allowed to catch their breath in a manner of speaking and return to their work reinvigorated.
Prophetically the sh’mittah, the weekly Sabbath, as well as the Jubilee, hints at the end of days when Creation reverts back to its original owner, the Creator of all things. In that time, all things held in bondage — whether man or the earth itself — will be released, as Paul said: “Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).
I’m sure that, at times, these “interruptions” seemed to be just that to some — an interruption of their plan and agenda. However, the Creator does nothing where His people are concerned — or any part of His creation for that matter — unless it is in their best interests. He knows what we need, when we need and how it should be employed. Face it, He is smarter than we are. Therefore, we need to be receptive of these times when He interrupts our plane and gives us a time to refresh. In other words, maybe we shouldn’t consider them as interruptions but an opportunity to pause and reflect on what is truly important. When we do this, we might find that He has interrupted an inclination on our part that leads to chaos and troubles and that is something worth considering.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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