Chapter 25:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Exodus Numbers
Leviticus 25
Concise Complete
H
The sabbath of rest for the land in the seventh year.
(1-7) The jubilee of the fiftieth year, Oppression forbidden. (8-22) Redemption
of the land and houses. (23-34) Compassion towards the poor. (35-38) Laws
respecting bondmen, Oppression forbidden. (39-55)
Verses 1-7 All
labour was to cease in the seventh year, as much as daily labour on the seventh
day. These statues tell us to beware of covetousness, for a man's life consists
not in the abundance of his possessions. We are to exercise willing dependence
on God's providence for our support; to consider ourselves the Lord's tenants or
stewards, and to use our possessions accordingly. This year of rest typified the
spiritual rest which all believers enter into through Christ. Through Him we are
eased of the burden of wordly care and labour, both being sanctified and
sweetened to us; and we are enabled and encouraged to live by faith.
Verses 8-22
The word "jubilee" signifies a peculiarly animated sound of the silver trumpets.
This sound was to be made on the evening of the great day of atonement; for the
proclamation of gospel liberty and salvation results from the sacrifice of the
Redeemer. It was provided that the lands should not be sold away from their
families. They could only be disposed of, as it were, by leases till the year of
jubilee, and then returned to the owner or his heir. This tended to preserve
their tribes and families distinct, till the coming of the Messiah. The liberty
every man was born to, if sold or forfeited, should return at the year of
jubilee. This was typical of redemption by Christ from the slavery of sin and
Satan, and of being brought again to the liberty of the children of God. All
bargains ought to be made by this rule, "Ye shall not oppress one another," not
take advantage of one another's ignorance or necessity, "but thou shalt fear thy
God." The fear of God reigning in the heart, would restrain from doing wrong to
our neighbour in word or deed. Assurance was given that they should be great
gainers, by observing these years of rest. If we are careful to do our duty, we
may trust God with our comfort. This was a miracle for an encouragement to all
neither sowed or reaped. This was a miracle for an encouragement to all God's
people, in all ages, to trust him in the way of duty. There is nothing lost by
faith and self-denial in obedience. Some asked, What shall we eat the seventh
year? Thus many Christians anticipate evils, questioning what they shall do, and
fearing to proceed in the way of duty. But we have no right to anticipate evils,
so as to distress ourselves about them. To carnal minds we may appear to act
absurdly, but the path of duty is ever the path of safety.
Verses 23-34
If the land were not redeemed before the year of jubilee, it then returned to
him that sold or mortgaged it. This was a figure of the free grace of God in
Christ; by which, and not by any price or merit of our own, we are restored to
the favour of God. Houses in walled cities were more the fruits of their own
industry than land in the country, which was the direct gift of God's bounty;
therefore if a man sold a house in a city, he might redeem it only within a year
after the sale. This encouraged strangers and proselytes to come and settle
among them.
Verses 35-38
Poverty and decay are great grievances, and very common; the poor ye have always
with you. Thou shalt relieve him; by sympathy, pitying the poor; by service,
doing for them; and by supply, giving to them according to their necessity, and
thine ability. Poor debtors must not be oppressed. Observe the arguments here
used against extortion: "Fear thy God." Relieve the poor, "that they may live
with thee;" for they may be serviceable to thee. The rich can as ill spare the
poor, as the poor can the rich. It becomes those that have received mercy to
show mercy.
Verses 39-55
A native Israelite, if sold for debt, or for a crime, was to serve but six
years, and to go out the seventh. If he sold himself, through poverty, both his
work and his usage must be such as were fitting for a son of Abraham. Masters
are required to give to their servants that which is just and equal, Col 4:1. At
the year of jubilee the servant should go out free, he and his children, and
should return to his own family. This typified redemption from the service of
sin and Satan, by the grace of God in Christ, whose truth makes us free,
john 8:32. We cannot ransom
our fellow-sinners, but we may point out Christ to them; while by his grace our
lives may adorn his gospel, express our love, show our gratitude, and glorify
his holy name.
Chapter 25:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Exodus Numbers
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
