Scripture 101: Leviticus

Part 5: Trusting God (Lev. 25-26).
May 18, 2025, Pastor Scott Simon

1. Trusting God: Manna and the Sabbath Day (Ex. 16:15-31).

a. Yahweh provided “manna” six out of seven days each week.

b. Yahweh provided double the manna on day six so that Israel could rest on the Sabbath.

c. The consequence for failure to trust and obey God for manna was hunger or capital punishment.

d. The manna laid a foundation of trusting Yahweh to provide for His people as He promised.

a. Yahweh commanded that the land be worked for six years, followed by a Sabbath year.

b. During the Sabbath year, the land had to rest; sowing, pruning, and harvesting were forbidden.

c. Food was provided for all people based on the untended produce of the land.

d. Further, all debts were to be forgiven (Deut. 15:1-6) and slaves were set free (Deut. 15:12).

e. Yahweh would cause the sixth year to produce three years’ worth of crops for Israel.

f. Israel was commanded to trust Yahweh to greatly bless them and to supply for all their needs.

a. After seven Sabbatical Years (49th), Israel was commanded to celebrate a Jubilee Year (50th).

b. The trumpet of the Jubilee Year was blown on the Day of Atonement.

c. Israel was commanded to consecrate (consider as holy) the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty in the land to all the inhabitants.

d. All possessions were to be returned to their proper owners (leased equipment).

e. Like Sabbatical years, all agricultural work was to cease for a total of 24 months.

f. Every family was to return to the land apportioned to them by Joshua.

g. All land lease agreements were terminated to return proper ownership to each family.

h. Oppression (unbalanced scales) in all financial transactions was forbidden.

i. Israel was commanded to fear Yahweh God and trust Him through their obedience.

a. Israel was expected to lend to the poor without charging interest.

b. An Israelite could become a servant (slave) of another, but only until the Sabbatical Year.

c. The “owner” of a slave had to fear Yahweh in the treatment of those who served him.

d. Freedom or redemption of the “slave” had to be honored by the master.

a. If Israel walked in Yahweh’s statutes and commandments:

i. Rain in season, produce, fruit, ample supply of bread, peace from enemies.

ii. Yahweh would walk among them and be their God.

b. If Israel failed to do all that Yahweh commanded them:

i. They would be in terror, experience wasting disease, be in sorrow, be conquered by their enemies.

ii. God would punish them seven times more for their sins.

a. Trust Him daily, not just in times of crisis (Ps. 62:8).

b. Trust Him with your whole heart (Pro. 3:5-6).

c. Commit your ways and desires to Yahweh and he shall bring His will to pass (Ps. 37:3-5).

d. Trust Him and do not fear what man can do to you (Ps. 56:3-4; Heb. 13:6).

e. Trust Him enough to cast all of your cares upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7).