Homilist Leviticus 25:2-55 Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When you come into the land which I give you… The institution of the jubilee year had more than one purpose. As a social arrangement it tended to prevent extremes of wealth and poverty. As a ceremonial institution it was the completion of the law of the sabbath. It was appointed to enforce, and to make the whole fabric of the national wealth rest upon, this thought contained in the text. The land was not theirs to sell — they had only a beneficial occupation. They were only like a band of wanderers settling for a while, by permission of the Owner, on His estate. I. HERE IS THE LESSON OF GOD'S PROPRIETORSHIP AND OUR STEWARDSHIP. "The land is Mine." 1. This thought should nurture thankfulness. The darkest night is filled with light, and the loneliest place blazes with angel faces, and the stoniest pillow is soft to him who sees everywhere the ladder that knits earth with heaven, and to whom all his blessings are as the messengers that descend it on errands of mercy and lead up the heart to the God from whom they come. 2. This thought should bring submission. We should not murmur, however we may regret, if the Landowner takes back a bit of the land which He has let us occupy. He does not take it away for His advantage, but "for our profit" — that we may be driven to claim a better inheritance in Himself than we can find even in the best of His gifts. 3. This thought should produce a sense of responsibility in the use of all we have. II. HERE IS THE LESSON OF THE TRANSIENCY OF OUR STAY ON EARTH. "Ye are strangers and sojourners." 1. The contrast between the external world and our stay in it 2. The constant change and progression of life. 3. The true and only permanent home. Use the transient as preparation for the eternal. III. HERE IS THE LESSON OF TRUST. "With Me." We have companionship even when most solitary. Whoever goes, God abides. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD. |
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