Have you ever found yourself worked to the point of shear exhaustion and still had a pile of work to do? When we reach that point, we may continue trudging along but the quality of our work suffers and it is also when many "accidents" happen. God seems to be telling us that the same need that we have for rest also applies to the land. The Lord is preparing the Israelites to enter the Promised Land, but before entering he gives them a lesson in growing crops - something they have not had to do for 40 years! Instead of a weekly Sabbath (rest) like he gives for us humans, the rest God gives for growing crops is that every seven years the land is to have a rest from planting and harvesting and this is to be an offering to the Lord. It also was a reminder to them that just like God provided for their needs while wandering 40 years in the desert, he could also supply their needs during the one year of rest for their land.
Rest! Rest! Rest!
Lord, teach us that a Sabbath is to benefit us, not to harm us.
