24 - The Lord of Sabbath

As yesterday after studying Leviticus, the Holy Spirit asked me to study one more chapter from the Bible that is about farming. Today as I woke up, the first thing I do is to ask Her where shall I look at to find that chapter...as I have no idea where to start.

She first pointed me to Isaiah 52:1-12 (click here to read) It is about God's salvation. But how does it related to farming?

Then she directed me to the book of Deuteronomy 23:24-25.

Deuteronomy 23:24-25 (ESV)

If you enter your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat all the grapes you want, but do not put any in your basket. If you enter your neighbor’s grainfield, you may pick kernels with your hands, but you must not put a sickle to their standing grain.

Weird.

She asked me to read one more version.

I read the Amplified version (AMP). So found out it's linked to the New Testament Matthew 12:1-8 where Pharisees falsely accused Jesus and His disciples in picking grains to eat on Sabbath and how they ridiculously equate gleaning for food with reaping a harvest! And Jesus replied, He desires mercy, not sacrifice. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

Hosea 6:6 (AMP)

For I desire and delight in [steadfast] loyalty [faithfulness in the covenant relationship], rather than sacrifice,

And in the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Yesterday as we went through Leviticus 25:1-22, it's also about Sabbath...

So the Lord of the Sabbath... what does this really mean?

Holy Spirit spoke,

'The Lord of the Sabbath means wherever comes to Sabbath, i.e. your rest day, you are to rest in God. God shall be your Lord on that day

.

I want you to rest, to be set free, to be filled with My love and My peace. This is why rest is important. Reset your heart with Mine. Give all your worries and burden to Me as My yoke is light. Share your weakness with Me.

Your crops do not grow to harvest based on your work, but I command it life and death. You have no control over life and death. So be My manager, work, and live according to My instructions so that My truth can set you free.'

Then I look again at Isaiah 52:1-12. These stood out to me.

Isaiah 52:2-3, 9-10 (NIV)

2 Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive.

3 For this is what the Lord says:

“You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”

9 Burst into songs of joy together,

you ruins of Jerusalem,

for the lord has comforted his people,

he has redeemed Jerusalem.

10 The Lord will lay bare his holy arm

in the sight of all the nations,

and all the ends of the earth will see

the salvation of our God.

Wow! Now I understand why Holy Spirit directed me to read this chapter at the beginning!

The Lord continued,

This is class 24.

God does not want our good works or good deeds as offerings. He is desiring an intimate relationship with us - a faithful, loyal relationship. He is also longing to set us free by His love and truth.

❤ (ɔˆз(ˆ⌣ˆc)