The number “7” has special significance for Christians and Jews. God created the heavens and earth in six days and rested on the seventh day. The seventh day is the day of rest. God set the pattern of working for six days and resting for one day. In the seventh month Jews celebrate the Feast of Trumpets (“Rosh Hashanah”), the Day of Atonement (“Yom Kippur”), and the Feast of Booths (“Succoth”). Seven is regarded as sacred and the number of completion. Peter asked Jesus how often he ought to forgive those who sinned against him, seven times? Jesus replied seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21, 22). Jesus is calling Peter to unending, complete forgiveness.

So how significant was it that the Jews celebrated the year of Jubilee, the fiftieth year, the year following seven sabbaths of years. The jubilee year was a special year in the Jewish calendar. Jubilee means “trumpet blast of liberty” and indeed it was. The shofar (ram’s horn) was blown throughout the land of Israel on the Day of Atonement.  Prisoners were released, debts forgiven, land was returned to the original owner, and slaves were set free to return to their families. The land was not to be sown or harvested in the jubilee. God would provide enough food to carry them through to the year following jubilee. Jubilee gave Israel the opportunity to set the land and the people back to their “default settings.”

How about you and me? Do we need a jubilee in our lives? Why not make 2017 the year in which God sets you free and releases you from bondage, pays your sin debt, and restores to you what has been lost or forfeited in your life. Is it time for God to give you back your default setting? Why not make 2017 your Jubilee Year and return to your God with all your heart? It's time to come home!

Irv