Leviticus 25:20-21 ‘But you might ask, ‘What will we eat during the seventh year, since we are not allowed to plant or harvest crops that year?’ Be assured that I will send my blessing for you in the sixth year, so the land will produce a crop large enough for three years.’ (NLT)
The Lord instructed the people of Israel through Moses to plant fields, prune vineyards and harvest crops for six years, but during the seventh year, the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. During the Sabbath year, neither fields should be planted nor vineyards pruned.
So, what were they going to eat for a full year?
The passage elaborates two types of blessings:
- God’s endless blessings: God eternal blessings are around us 24/7, and sometimes we don’t acknowledge them because we have gotten so used to them. For instance, waking up every morning is a blessing that God continuously grants the whole world.
- God’s blessings through our labours: God calls us to work, and through our toils, God blesses us with food, shelter and more.
The common denominator in the two types of blessings is GOD. Therefore, it didn’t matter whether it was the six harvesting years or the Sabbath year; God was still the one providing for the Israelites.
However, the Israelites thought that they could only harvest crops by planting fields; it is partly true because our job is to farm, but only God does the growing. No human has the power to grow any seed if not just tending it.
Since God is in control of our lives and provisions, we ought to trust that He will always provide no matter the season. Maybe you lost your job, or perhaps you feel overwhelmed; the same God who took care of you yesterday will provide more blessings even during hard, unfruitful seasons.
Hence, let’s praise the Lord in every season for God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.