God commanded ancient Israel to observe what is known as a Sabbatical year (Exodus 23:10 - 11, Leviticus 25:1 - 7, 19 - 23). It was also known as the land Sabbath (Leviticus 25:2 - 6) or the year of release (Deuteronomy 31:10).
And you shall sow your land six years, and shall gather in the fruits of it. But the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie still, so that the poor of your people may eat. And what they leave, the animals of the field shall eat. In the same way you shall deal with your vineyard and with your olive-grove (Exodus 23:10 - 11, HBFV).
The Sabbatical year, like the weekly Sabbath, was created as a holy period designed to bring rest, renewal and rejuvenation to both the people and the land.
The start of a Sabbatical year is not directly stated in God's word. Although a few commentaries believe it began, like the Jubilee, on the Day of Atonement (Tishri 10), evidence seems to favor it beginning on Tishri 1 (the first day of the Hebrew civil year, see the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia article on the subject).
Holy Behavior
God commanded this Sabbatical period be kept through the following actions.
Israelites were commanded to let their land lie fallow and rest. No crops were to be planted. Vineyards and olive trees were to be left unattended. The poor of the land, including those who were not Israelite citizens ("strangers"), were to be allowed to take whatever grew wild in the fields.
The entire law of God was to be read publically during the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:10 - 13). Lastly, all debts, except those of foreigners, were to be forgiven (Deuteronomy 15:1 - 11).
Israel's obedience would be further encouraged by the Lord providing a bumper crop prior to the Sabbatical year that would sustain his people until the next cycle of planting and harvesting (Leviticus 25:20 - 22).
How Important Is It?
God warned Israel he would bring severe consequences on them for disobeying his law and for not observing the Sabbatical year.
And if you will not for all of this hearken to Me, but will walk contrary to Me . . . you shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters . . . And I will scatter you among the nations, and will draw out a sword after you. And your land shall be a desolation, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy its Sabbaths . . . (Leviticus 26:27, 29, 33 - 34).
Sabbaticals After Birth
Jesus was born in the fall of 5 B.C. The Sabbatical years after his birth are below. It is interesting to note that the Lord, in 25 A.D., turned 29 years old less than three weeks before this rest started. In 26 A.D. a Jubilee year began on September 11 (the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur), the same day Jesus' ministry started.
Sabbatical Years
After Jesus Born
| 4 to 3 B.C. | ||
| 4 - 5 A.D. | 53 - 54 | |
| 11 - 12 | 60 - 61 | |
| 18 - 19 | 67 - 68 | |
| 25 - 26 | 74 - 75 | |
| 32 - 33 | 81 - 82 | |
| 39 - 40 | 88 - 89 | |
| 46 - 47 | 95 - 96 | |
Modern Times
Sabbatical years starting in the middle of the 20th century going forward almost one hundred years include 1950 - 51, 1957 - 58, 1964 - 65, 1971 - 72, 1978 - 79, 1985 - 86, 1992 - 93, 1999 - 2000, 2006 - 2007, 2013 - 2014, 2020 - 2021, 2027 - 2028, 2034 - 2035, 2041 - 2042 and 2048 - 2049.