Sabbatical year - not just for farmers and pastors anymore

I haven't blogged much this week since I have been at the Christian Leadership Alliance Conference in Dallas. Hope to pick up some of that content and merge it with some of the stuff running around in my head. 

This morning before checking out of the hotel, I watched the Royal Wedding highlights, I went downstairs and got breakfast and read the Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals scripture passage for the day. 

It was , Leviticus 25.1-17

 :3 "For six years you may plant your fields and prune your vineyards and harvest your crops, but during the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. It is the Lord 's Sabbath. Do not plant your fields or prune your vineyards during that year. And don't store away the crops that grow on their own or gather the grapes from your unpruned vines. The land must have a year of complete rest. But you may eat whatever the land produces on its own during its Sabbath. This applies to you, your male and female servants, your hired workers, and the temporary residents who live with you. Your livestock and the wild animals in your land will also be allowed to eat what the land produces." (NLT)

Not sure why I had not hunted out this passage on sabbatical at the beginning of my sabbatical time, but here it is. 

What jumps out me is that this talks about a Sabbath for the LAND. 

But if you are not working the land, then that becomes a sabbath for the farmers, too. And this is extended to pretty much everyone else: their servants, employees, and visitors. And even their animals. 

This was every 7 years. Bible scholars say that the Israelites never really DID this nor the Year of Jubiliee every 50 years. That's too bad for them - and for us if we don't do it. What would the world be like if everyone lived out this Kingdom Sanctioned Rest?

Another thought - I had been thinking how privileged I was to have the opportunity to take a sabbath -and it IS a privilege to have that freedom in today's world, even for someone working in christian NGO/mission. But in this passage, the year of sabbath rest is not optional. It is not a suggestion but a command. (vs. 2)

Finally, note the element of faith involved. No sowing and reaping during that year. God will provide and you will eat what the land produces on its own. You are not allowed to save any of that for the 8th year. In fact, verses 18-22 answer the question of "what will we eat" saying that when you plant in the 6th year, you will harvest a triple harvest to allow you to live in years 7 and 8.

While in Kansas City, I met up with a guy there who felt that he should quit the corporate job he had recently taken elsewhere and move back to KC for a while. This involved living off his savings for several months and waiting on God. 

For me it is a bit easier, as I have ongoing financial support, but I do note that God provided graciously through my donors in December, January and February, to allow me to truly enjoy this time without nickel and diming myself. 

So is anyone game for taking a several months (a whole year?) off from your work, relying on God and enjoying his rest?All I can say is that God offers you this season of delight and rest.