Leviticus 25:21 is part of the instructions regarding the Sabbatical Year (Shmita), a year of rest for the land mandated by God to the Israelites. Understanding this verse requires looking at the surrounding verses.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning within the context of the Sabbatical Year:
Context: The Sabbatical Year (Leviticus 25:1-7)
Every seventh year, the Israelites were commanded to let the land rest. They were not to sow their fields or prune their vineyards.
What grew on its own during the Sabbatical Year was to be available for everyone to eat – the owner, servants, hired workers, sojourners, and even the animals.
The Fear and the Question (Leviticus 25:20)
"And if you say, 'What shall we eat in the seventh year, since we shall not sow or gather in our crop?'"
This verse highlights the natural concern. If they don't plant in the seventh year, how will they have enough food?
Leviticus 25:21 - The Promise
"Then I will command my blessing on you in the sixth year, and it shall bear fruit for the three years."
"I will command my blessing": This is God's assurance. He promises to intervene supernaturally.
"in the sixth year": This refers to the year before the Sabbatical Year.
"it shall bear fruit for the three years": This is the key. God promises that the harvest in the sixth year will be so abundant that it will provide enough food for:
1. The remainder of the sixth year.
2. The entire seventh year (the Sabbatical Year).
3. Enough until the harvest of the ninth year, giving them time to plant and harvest in the eighth year and wait for the crops to grow. The ninth year is the year they are able to bring in their own harvest again.
Interpretation
Trust and Obedience: This verse is about trusting in God's provision. God is challenging the Israelites to obey his command to let the land rest, trusting that He will provide for their needs.
Supernatural Provision: It's not just a good harvest; it's a blessed harvest, meaning a divinely ordained abundance that goes beyond what's naturally possible.
Sustained Abundance: The blessing is not just for one year but provides enough food for three years, demonstrating God's enduring care.
Symbolic Significance
Rest and Renewal: The Sabbatical Year is not just about resting the land; it's about a rhythm of rest and renewal, recognizing God as the ultimate provider.
Social Justice: It also had social implications, as the poor and sojourners were allowed to freely glean from the land during the Sabbatical Year.
Faith in Action: Obeying the command to let the land rest was an act of faith, demonstrating their belief in God's faithfulness.
In summary, Leviticus 25:21 is God's promise of a supernatural blessing on the sixth year's harvest to provide enough food for three years, enabling the Israelites to observe the Sabbatical Year without fear of starvation, emphasizing trust in God's provision and the importance of obedience.
In modern context, this verse encourages us to trust in God's provision even when faced with uncertainty and to prioritize spiritual principles over material concerns. It reminds us that obedience to God often leads to unexpected blessings and that He is always faithful to provide for those who trust in Him.
Leviticus 25:21 is part of the instructions regarding the Sabbatical Year (Shmita), a year of rest for the land mandated by God to the Israelites. Understanding this verse requires looking at the surrounding verses.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning within the context of the Sabbatical Year:
Context: The Sabbatical Year (Leviticus 25:1-7)
Every seventh year, the Israelites were commanded to let the land rest. They were not to sow their fields or prune their vineyards.
What grew on its own during the Sabbatical Year was to be available for everyone to eat – the owner, servants, hired workers, sojourners, and even the animals.
The Fear and the Question (Leviticus 25:20)
"And if you say, 'What shall we eat in the seventh year, since we shall not sow or gather in our crop?'"
This verse highlights the natural concern. If they don't plant in the seventh year, how will they have enough food?
Leviticus 25:21 - The Promise
"Then I will command my blessing on you in the sixth year, and it shall bear fruit for the three years."
"I will command my blessing": This is God's assurance. He promises to intervene supernaturally.
"in the sixth year": This refers to the year before the Sabbatical Year.
"it shall bear fruit for the three years": This is the key. God promises that the harvest in the sixth year will be so abundant that it will provide enough food for:
1. The remainder of the sixth year.
2. The entire seventh year (the Sabbatical Year).
3. Enough until the harvest of the ninth year, giving them time to plant and harvest in the eighth year and wait for the crops to grow. The ninth year is the year they are able to bring in their own harvest again.
Interpretation
Trust and Obedience: This verse is about trusting in God's provision. God is challenging the Israelites to obey his command to let the land rest, trusting that He will provide for their needs.
Supernatural Provision: It's not just a good harvest; it's a blessed harvest, meaning a divinely ordained abundance that goes beyond what's naturally possible.
Sustained Abundance: The blessing is not just for one year but provides enough food for three years, demonstrating God's enduring care.
Symbolic Significance
Rest and Renewal: The Sabbatical Year is not just about resting the land; it's about a rhythm of rest and renewal, recognizing God as the ultimate provider.
Social Justice: It also had social implications, as the poor and sojourners were allowed to freely glean from the land during the Sabbatical Year.
Faith in Action: Obeying the command to let the land rest was an act of faith, demonstrating their belief in God's faithfulness.
In summary, Leviticus 25:21 is God's promise of a supernatural blessing on the sixth year's harvest to provide enough food for three years, enabling the Israelites to observe the Sabbatical Year without fear of starvation, emphasizing trust in God's provision and the importance of obedience.
In modern context, this verse encourages us to trust in God's provision even when faced with uncertainty and to prioritize spiritual principles over material concerns. It reminds us that obedience to God often leads to unexpected blessings and that He is always faithful to provide for those who trust in Him.