“‘Count off seven sabbath years—seven times seven years—so that the seven sabbath years amount to a period of forty-nine years. Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan. - Leviticus 25:8,10 NIV
Perhaps the people had made bad choices that forced them to sell their property. Perhaps it had forced them even to sell themselves and their families into slavery. Perhaps the lives of people had been negatively impacted by the choices of their family members. Was everything lost?
No, every 50 years, in the year of jubilee, there was a great reset. Liberty was proclaimed. Property was returned. Families were reunited. It was as if God was saying:
Your family members made bad choices which negatively impacted you. I am giving you a fresh start. Will you follow their example or will you make different choices? The choice is yours.
How encouraging is that?!
I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. - Exodus 20:5-6 NIVThere is hope!
