277. LEV 25:10. THE JUBILEE
Lev_25:10. The Jubilee
"It shall be a jubilee unto you."’97Lev_25:10.
Most of the ancient festivals were strikingly typical of Gospel blessings or ordinances. This was the case with the feast of tabernacles, the feast of the passover, and equally so the year of Jubilee. It is obvious from the Redeemer’s application of one of Isaiah’s prophecies, that this was the case. Hence he said, "I am come to preach the acceptable year of the Lord Isa_61:1, and Luk_4:19. Now this acceptable year is the year of the introduction of the gladsome tidings of the gospel into our world.
Let us, then, trace the resemblance between the year of jubilee and the Gospel dispensation.
I. In the Blessings conferred.
And,
II. In the Circumstances connected with its Proclamation.
Notice, with respect to the jubilee,
I. The Blessings it conferred.
The term jubilee signifies sound of joy, or glad proclamation. And this joyful sound related to five things.
There was,
1. The remission of debts.
Those who through adverse circumstances were unable to meet the demands of their creditors, were now freed from heir obligations. This is the first striking trait of resemblance. The Gospel publishes to a guilty world, the "remission of sins." Luk_24:47. Christ came to forgive sins. Died to forgive sins. Rose again that forgiveness of sins might be preached. And is now exalted to give repentance and remission of sins. "Through this man is preached," &c. Act_13:38.
There was,
2. Liberation from bondage.
Hence the bond-servant was now liberated, and obtained freedom; ver. 39. The Gospel also proclaims liberty to the bound. By knowing its truths men are made free. Free from the manacles of Satanic vassalage; free from the cursed dominion of sin. "Being made free from sin," &c. Rom_6:22. Those whom Jesus makes free, are free indeed. They enjoy the liberty of the sons of God. There was,
3. The restoration of forfeited possessions.
Mortgaged estates now returned to the original owner; ver. 25. Now, man by sin has lost his original inheritance, both earthly and spiritual. Lost Eden, and its joys. The divine favor, and its blessedness. But the Gospel reinstates us in the divine family; confers celestial titles; exalts to celestial prospects; and reveals to us, and makes us heirs of, "an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled," &c. 1Pe_1:4; Col_1:5. A possession infinitely more rich and glorious than that which man lost by sin.
There was,
4. Freedom from all toil It was a year of rest; vers. 11, 12. Now the Gospel is emphatically a dispensation of rest; rest from all the toils and burden some services, which formed a yoke too heavy to be borne. Numerous rites; expensive sacrifices; divers washings; extended journeyings, &c. We live in the sabbath of the world, the jubilee of rest. "We who have believed do enter rest." Jesus relieves from the Jewish yoke, and gives a yoke that is easy, a burden that is light; and true rest to the soul.
Then there was,
5. Abundant provision and universal joy.
Ver. 19. It was a year of abundance, and of festivity and gladness. So the Gospel reveals a heavenly banquet, a feast of fat things; the marriage-supper of the king’s son, &c. Isa_26:6-8; Mat_22:1-4. The Gospel calls us to enjoy a plenitude of blessings. It proclaims a kingdom of righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. There is every thing in it to rejoice the heart; yea, to fill with "joy unspeakable, and full of glory."
Notice,
II. The Circumstances connected with its Proclamation.
1. The jubilee was to be proclaimed on the day of atonement.
This was one of the greatest days in the Jewish calendar. A bullock was slain as a sin-offering; a ram was presented as a burnt-offering; and the scapegoat, with the sins of the people confessed over its head, was dismissed into the wilderness. Now the Gospel jubilee is based on the sacrifice of Christ. We obtain redemption, with all its blessings, through his blood. "It behooved him to suffer," &c., for this very end.
2. The jubilee was to be announced by the sound of trumpets.
It was to be loudly published. So the Gospel to be proclaimed, its glad tidings published. Hence the establishment of the ministry for this express end. "How beautiful are the feet," &c. Rom_10:15.
3. The proclamation was to be to all the people.
Ver. 9, 10. The trumpets were to be sounded through all the land. The Gospel is to be preached through all the world, to every creature. "This Gospel of the kingdom," &c. Mat_24:14; Rev_4:6.
Application
1. The blessedness of the Gospel dispensation. Happy are our eyes for what hey see, &c. Prophets and kings desired to see what we see, &c.
2. The necessity of personally realizing its blessings. We must personally enjoy the liberty, the rest, the abundance, the joy, &c. "Do we know the joyful sound," &c.
3. Urge upon all to avail themselves of the invaluable privileges of the acceptable year of the Lord. Now is the time of our visitation. "Now the accepted time," &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS