This Bible study is all about seeking God on the Sabbath and as we go about our days.
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Then end of Leviticus again reminds the Israelites to continue seeking God in everything, remembering the Sabbath as a day of rest and a chance to grow closer to God. God emphasizes its importance by giving the Israelites a Sabbath year and a year of Jubilee. Leviticus finishes with the reminder to Be Holy because God is Holy.
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Read all about seeking God on the Sabbath, before reflecting on it below.
Leviticus 24-27
Seeking fresh renewal on the Sabbath
Leviticus 24 begins with a reminder that the Israelites are supposed to come prepared with enough oil to keep the lamps burning continually. They were also to replace the 12 loaves of showbread every Sabbath. Thus, continuously renewing and reinforcing the idea that God does not want a stale relationship with His people. In the same way, we should be doing everything necessary to make sure our light is burning at all times. Our goal should be to God at all times. Remembering a Sabbath day refreshes our relationship with God, ensuring that we are seeking Him all throughout the week.
Do you have enough oil (the Holy Spirit working in your life) to keep your light burning? How are you intentionally seeking God on the Sabbath and as you go about your days (Matthew 5:14-16)?
Doing as the Lord commands when it is hard
The Israelites were presented with an interesting case of a foreigner living among them who broke the Law and blasphemed against God. When it became clear that God required the same punishment for the foreigner living among them as the native, they took him outside of the camp and stoned him in accordance with God’s command. This demonstrates that the laws given by God are not just for an interesting quick read or entertainment. They were and are (for us under the New Covenant) expected to be followed. We are told to obey God’s laws even when they are difficult.
Many parts of the Bible can be hard for us to understand. How do you reconcile the loving nature of God with commands such as these (John 8:1-11)?
Seeking the sabbath year
God called Israel to demonstrate their trust in Him during the Sabbath year. During this year they were called to not plant or harvest. Instead, they had to rely on God’s provision from the previous six years to see them through the seventh. The Sabbath year was meant to be a year of rest for the land (by giving the soil a chance to renew its nutrients), but it was also a year of rest for the Israelites who could do no regular work.
The Sabbath year was not a time of idleness, but a specific time set aside for seeking God and hearing His law. Do you have specific times in your life set apart for resting and seeking God (Deuteronomy 31:9-13)?
The blessing of Jubilee
Just as the Israelites were to rest every seven years, every seven Sabbath years they were to have a year of jubilee. This was to be a time of great rejoicing when families could be reunited and return back to their homes. Even here, in the Old Testament, we can see the heart of God and His desire for His children to not take advantage of their neighbors.
The Israelites were called to keep the year of Jubilee every 50 years, but there is no record of any Jubilee years. Why do you think they were unable to follow this command (Philippians 2:8)?
God’s redemption and requirement for His people
Part of the Jubilee celebration was that anyone who had been poor and sold themselves as a hired worker was to be released back to their families. God did not want His children to own slaves as the surrounding nations did. This is because all people belong to the Lord and are His servants. God’s tender love for His people and the redemption that He desires to offer everyone is demonstrated by the limitations He placed on common practices of surrounding cultures.
The Israelites were slaves in Egypt. But God did not want them to be owned by any man because He is the Lord. Everyone belongs to Him. Who do you belong to (Psalm 31:16)?
God will dwell among the obedient
Leviticus 26 follows the pattern of a covenantal agreement between two parties. The end of the agreement contains the benefits of keeping the covenant as well as the consequences of breaking the covenant. Here, God promises that IF the Israelites obey God, IF they continue seeking God, If they follow His commands and keep the Sabbath, then God will dwell among them. There would be abundant crops and peace in the land.
Are you continuously seeking God, following His commands, and enjoying the Sabbath rest that He gives in Jesus? Do you have God dwelling in your life (John 1:14)?
Consequences for breaking the covenant
If we disobey God and His commands, then we are breaking the covenant we agreed to (Israel agreed to the covenant as a whole people in Exodus 24). The consequences of breaking the covenant mainly stem from the fact that God no longer dwells among us. We allow our pride in our own ability to supersede the authority of God. Because of this, we become arrogant and refuse to submit to God’s power, thinking we know best. We have pushed him away by following our own sinful desires and have widened the chasm between us.
Do you submit to God’s authority, or try to do everything in your own power (1 Peter 5:6-7)?
The greatness of God’s mercy
Although there are natural consequences to breaking the covenant with God, we have the opportunity to turn from our sin and run back to God. In the greatness of His mercy, He made way for reconciliation. Leviticus 26:40-45 says “BUT IF they will confess their sins… their unfaithfulness and hostility… if they come humbly before me… I will remember my covenant and be their God.” God desires a relationship with you and is willing to accept you into His open arms no matter your past rebellion. All you have to do is humble yourself before Him. Admit that you have sinned by following your own desires and submit to His authority.
Do you need to go before God today (2 Chronicles 7:14)?
Devote yourself to the Lord
Leviticus ends in the same way it started: with sanctuary offerings. Although the beginning of Leviticus was all about the regulated offerings, this last chapter deals with the voluntary offering of devoting yourself to the Lord. There were two ways this could occur: the special vow and devotion. The special vow was a temporary commitment of dedicating a person to the service of the Lord. The act of devoting yourself went a step further. To devote something was to render it completely destroyed or consumed so that it could not be used by anyone else. It was an irrevocable gift to the Lord.
Related post: Offerings to God – the amazing truth found in Leviticus
Do you serve God wholeheartedly, or is there something else getting in the way (Matthew 6:24)? How can you fully commit your life to God (1 Kings 8:61)?
Reflect on seeking the Sabbath and enjoying the God who dwells among you
Throughout Leviticus, the idea of living holy lives dedicated to God is demonstrated. Everything from resting on the Sabbath to seeking God in every area, to regulations on purity is demonstrated in this book of the Bible. The whole point of this is to live holy lives dedicated to a holy God who calls us to be like Himself. How are you living in accordance to the way God has called you to live?
This Bible study was all about seeking the God of the Sabbath so that you can enjoy God dwelling among you.
