The Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 25:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The sabbatical year.

Rest of the land, as the physical source of blessings, as the consecrated portion of God's people.

I. THE NATURAL BASIS OF RELIGION. Creation. Providence. Moral government. "Man is one world, and hath another to attend him" (George Herbert). The ascent of the higher nature from the lower. The subordination of the material and temporary to the immaterial and eternal. Care of all life involved in the covenant of God with his people. The life of the vegetable world, the life of the animal world, viewed in their relation to higher purposes of God. Art is perfected only in the atmosphere of religion. Science, both theoretic and applied, requires to be pervaded with religious spirit, or becomes atheistic, worldly, and corrupt.

II. THE BLESSING OF GOD ON HIS PEOPLE. "A sabbath for the Lord," that he may rejoice with his children.

1. Material blessings promised: "All these things shall be added unto you;" "he careth for you; godliness hath the promise of the world which now is."

2. Rest in the Lord, over all the land, in all states and conditions, eventually in all men. The resting land typical of the Divine promise of a restored earth and regained paradise. The weekly sabbath enlarged. Time expanding to eternity. Special opportunities granted for the larger spiritual culture.—R.

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