“And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase.”
This verse is part of the instructions given by God to the Israelites regarding the Sabbath year or the Year of Jubilee. In this passage, God addresses the concerns of the Israelites regarding their provision during the seventh year when they were commanded not to sow or reap.
Context: To better understand this verse, it is essential to grasp the context of the Sabbath year and the Year of Jubilee. In Leviticus 25, God provides regulations concerning the land’s rest and restoration every seventh year, and the Year of Jubilee, which occurred after seven cycles of Sabbath years (49 years). During the Sabbath year, the Israelites were not to sow, prune, or gather the crops from their fields but allow the land to lie fallow. The Year of Jubilee held additional significance as it was a year of release, when debts were canceled, land was returned to its original owner, and slaves were set free.
Concerns about Provision: In Leviticus 25:20, the people express their concern about what they would eat during the seventh year. They wonder how they will have enough food if they are not allowed to sow or gather their increase. This concern is understandable because agriculture was the primary source of sustenance for the Israelites. They depended on their crops to meet their needs. The people were essentially asking how they would survive if they did not work the land for an entire year.
Trust in God’s Provision: God’s response to their concerns can be found in the subsequent verses. In Leviticus 25:21-22 (KJV), God assures them of His provision: “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.” God promises to bless the sixth year’s harvest to provide enough food for three years, covering the seventh year as well. He assures them that they will have an abundant harvest in the sixth year, which will sustain them through the seventh and eighth years until the crops from the ninth year are ready.
Lessons and Application: This passage teaches us important lessons about trust in God’s provision, obedience, and faith. The Israelites were required to trust in God’s promise and follow His commands regarding the Sabbath year. It required faith to believe that God would provide enough food to sustain them, even without their usual agricultural practices. They had to rely on God’s faithfulness, provision, and timing.
For us today, this verse reminds us to trust in God’s provision and have faith in His promises. It encourages us to obey His commands, even when they may seem challenging or counterintuitive. God often calls us to step out in faith, trusting Him to provide for our needs in ways we may not expect. Just as God provided for the Israelites during the Sabbath year, He is faithful to provide for us as we trust in Him.
In conclusion, Leviticus 25:20 highlights the Israelites’ concerns about their provision during the seventh year, but God assures them of His faithfulness and promises to provide for their needs. It teaches us the importance of trusting in God’s provision, obeying His commands, and having faith in His promises.
