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The Beginning of the End
were a slave in the land of Egypt.” (
Deuteronomy 24:19-22
. Also
see
Leviticus 19:9, 10
).
God’s Mercy to Poor People
Every seventh year special arrangements were made for the poor.
At planting time, which followed the harvest, the people were not to
sow; they were not to tend the vineyard in the spring; and they must
not expect either harvest or vintage. The yield of this year was to be
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free for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and even for the
creatures of the field. (
Exodus 23:10, 11
;
Leviticus 25:5
).
But if the land normally produced only enough to meet the needs
of the people, how were they to survive during the year when the
gathered no crops? The promise of God made ample provision: “I
will command My blessing on you in the sixth year,” He said, “and
it will bring forth produce enough for three years. And you shall
sow in the eighth year, and eat old produce until the ninth year; until
its produce comes in you shall eat of the old harvest.” (
Leviticus
25:21, 22
).
The sabbatical year was to be a benefit to both land and people.
The soil, resting for one season, would later produce much more.
The people were released from the pressing work in the fields. All
enjoyed more free time, more opportunities for restoring their phys-
ical strength, more time for meditation and studying the teachings
of the Lord, and for teaching their families.
In the sabbatical year the Hebrew slaves were to be given their
liberty. “When you send him away free from you, you shall not let
him go away empty-handed; you shall supply him liberally from
your flock, from your threshing floor, and from your winepress.
From what the Lord has blessed you with, you shall give to him.”
(
Deuteronomy 15:13, 14
).
The wages of a worker were to be paid promptly. “Each day you
shall give him his wages, and not let the sun go down on it, for he is
poor and has set his heart on it.” (
Deuteronomy 24:15
).
Special directions also were given about how to treat runaway
slaves: “You shall not give back to his master the slave who has
escaped from his master to you. He may dwell with you in your