251 The Lord then spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai , saying , 2 "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you come into the land which I shall give you, then the land shall have a sabbath to the Lord . 3 ' Six years you shall sow your field , and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its crop , 4 but during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest , a sabbath to the Lord ; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard . 5 'Your harvest's aftergrowth you shall not reap , and your grapes of untrimmed vines you shall not gather ; the land shall have a sabbatical year . 6 ' All of you shall have the sabbath products of the land for food ; yourself, and your male and female slaves e , and your hired man and your foreign resident , those who live as aliens with you. 7 'Even your cattle and the animals that are in your land shall have all its crops to eat .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 25:1-7
Commentary on Leviticus 25:1-7
(Read Leviticus 25:1-7)
All labour was to cease in the seventh year, as much as daily labour on the seventh day. These statues tell us to beware of covetousness, for a man's life consists not in the abundance of his possessions. We are to exercise willing dependence on God's providence for our support; to consider ourselves the Lord's tenants or stewards, and to use our possessions accordingly. This year of rest typified the spiritual rest which all believers enter into through Christ. Through Him we are eased of the burden of wordly care and labour, both being sanctified and sweetened to us; and we are enabled and encouraged to live by faith.