Matters of Faith: The Year of Jubilee

“In this way you shall set the fiftieth year apart and proclaim freedom to all the inhabitants of the land. During this year all property that has been sold shall be restored to the original owner or his descendants, and anyone who has been sold as a slave shall return to his family.”

Leviticus 25:10 GNB

In the Jewish culture, every fifty years was celebrated as the year of Jubilee. All debt was cancelled, all possessions that were lost were returned to their original owner, slaves were liberated, and people made an exodus back to their land of family origin. The Lord gave us the year of jubilee because He knows how important it is for us to have interpersonal relationships on every level, as well as enjoy freedom from oppression. He also desires our propserity.

Family reunions, particularly in the African diaspora, can be described as a time of jubilee. The time frames might be different, debt may not be cancelled, possessions lost may not be returned, but family reunions take on the aura of the Year of Jubilee.

In this season of travel and family gatherings, many people will be on the highways, skyways and byways, all headed to and from family reunions and gatherings. It’s a time of year that we relish and enjoy: reconnecting with family and friends, and meeting people we’ve never met.

The Lord is a God of relationships. He developed a relationship with us long before He gave us the desire to have interpersonal relationships with each other. Whenever or wherever you plan to gather with family and friends, think about declaring it a Year of Jubilee and celebrate as if you have been set free from all worldly concerns and are reuniting with your God, your family and friends in the land of your family origin.

Be Blessed +++

Rev. J. Loren Russell, associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting, host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio, Monday’s 8:00 – 10:00 PM (626-226-1448), author of Matters of Faith: The Book.

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