LEVITICUS 25:22-55 (PART II)
THE YEAR OF JUBILEE, REDEMPTION, AND RESTORATION
By Pst. JK Woodall
Introduction
Leviticus 25 continues with one of the most beautiful pictures of redemption found in the Old Testament.
The Year of Jubilee was God's system of restoration. Debts were canceled, inheritances were restored, and those who had fallen into servitude were given an opportunity to return home.
The Jubilee is a prophetic shadow of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who restores what sin has stolen.
VERSES 22-24
"And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit..."
Observation
God promised that His provision would sustain Israel until the new harvest arrived.
The people were commanded to trust God during the transition.
Old Testament Principle
God's provision extends beyond our understanding.
New Testament Connection
2 Corinthians 5:7
"For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Teaching Point
Faith lives on God's promise while waiting for God's provision.
Many believers want provision before obedience.
God often requires obedience before provision.
VERSES 25-28
"If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession..."
Observation
If an Israelite lost his inheritance because of poverty, a close relative could redeem it.
This relative became known as a kinsman redeemer.
Old Testament Principle
God built redemption into His covenant system.
Failure was never intended to be permanent.
New Testament Connection
Ephesians 1:7
"In whom we have redemption through his blood."
Jesus became our Kinsman Redeemer.
By becoming flesh, He became qualified to redeem humanity.
Teaching Point
God's plan has always included restoration.
The enemy may take possession temporarily, but God has a redemption plan.
VERSES 29-34
Observation
Special regulations governed houses in cities and villages.
Property rights differed depending on location and tribal inheritance.
The Levites were given unique protections.
Old Testament Principle
God carefully protected the inheritance of His people.
New Testament Connection
1 Peter 1:4
"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away."
Unlike earthly inheritances, our inheritance in Christ can never be lost.
Teaching Point
Earthly possessions are temporary.
Our eternal inheritance is secure in Christ.
VERSES 35-38
"And if thy brother be waxen poor..."
Observation
Israel was commanded to help struggling brothers.
Interest was forbidden when lending to fellow Israelites.
Old Testament Principle
God's people were not to profit from another believer's hardship.
New Testament Connection
Galatians 6:2
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
Teaching Point
The Kingdom is built upon compassion, not exploitation.
God expects His people to lift one another up.
Discussion Question
Do we see the struggles of others as opportunities for ministry or opportunities for gain?
VERSES 39-43
"If thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor..."
Observation
An Israelite could become a servant because of debt, but he was never to be treated as a slave.
Old Testament Principle
Every Israelite belonged to God.
No one had the right to own what God already owned.
New Testament Connection
1 Corinthians 7:23
"Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men."
Believers belong to Christ.
Teaching Point
Because God owns us, no earthly power has ultimate authority over our identity.
VERSES 44-46
Observation
Foreign servants could be acquired from surrounding nations.
This distinction emphasized Israel's covenant relationship with God.
Old Testament Principle
Israel occupied a unique covenant position among the nations.
New Testament Connection
1 Peter 2:9
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation..."
Teaching Point
The Church now serves as God's covenant people through Christ.
Believers are called to live differently from the world around them.
VERSES 47-49
Observation
An Israelite sold into service to a foreign resident could still be redeemed.
Several relatives qualified to redeem him.
Old Testament Principle
God always provided a path to freedom.
New Testament Connection
Mark 10:45
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Jesus paid the ransom that secured our freedom.
Teaching Point
Sin enslaves.
Christ redeems.
What man cannot pay, Christ has already paid.
VERSES 50-52
Observation
The redemption price was calculated according to the years remaining until Jubilee.
The closer the Jubilee, the lower the cost.
Old Testament Principle
God's redemption was fair and just.
New Testament Connection
1 Peter 1:18-19
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things... But with the precious blood of Christ."
Our redemption price was not silver or gold.
It was the blood of Jesus.
Teaching Point
Never underestimate your value.
Heaven considered you worth the blood of God's Son.
VERSES 53-55
"For unto me the children of Israel are servants..."
Observation
God concludes by reminding Israel that they belong to Him because He redeemed them from Egypt.
Old Testament Principle
Redemption establishes ownership.
God redeemed Israel; therefore Israel belonged to Him.
New Testament Connection
Romans 14:8
"Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."
Because Christ redeemed us, we belong to Him.
Teaching Point
Redemption is more than rescue.
Redemption creates relationship.
God did not redeem Israel merely to free them.
He redeemed them to be His people.
The Jubilee and Jesus
The Year of Jubilee pointed forward to Christ.
In the Jubilee:
Debts were canceled.
Slaves were released.
Families were restored.
Inheritances were returned.
In Christ:
Sin's debt is canceled.
Captives are set free.
Sons and daughters are restored.
Our eternal inheritance is secured.
Luke 4:18-19
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me..."
When Jesus stood in the synagogue and read Isaiah's prophecy, He was announcing Heaven's Jubilee.
The Year of Jubilee was no longer a date on the calendar.
The Jubilee had arrived in a Person.
Jesus Christ is our Jubilee.
Closing Thought
Leviticus 25 reveals the heart of God.
He is not merely a God of law.
He is a God of restoration.
When people lost their inheritance, God provided redemption.
When people lost their freedom, God provided release.
When people lost hope, God provided Jubilee.
The same God still restores today.
What sin has stolen, Christ can restore.
What bondage has captured, Christ can release.
What has been lost can be redeemed through our Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Key Verse
"Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." (Leviticus 25:10)
The cry of Jubilee is still being heard:
Liberty has come through Jesus Christ.






