Introduction
The theme of our 40-Day fast and prayer before we celebrate Malaysia’s 50th Anniversary or Year of Jubilee is “The Hope of Jubilee”. What is Jubilee and how does it affect us? Jubilee comes from the Hebrew word yobel meaning trumpet or ram’s horn. The horn or trumpet is used to usher in the year of the Jubilee. Jubilee is celebrated after every 49 years ( or 7 x 7 years) i.e. every 50th year as the Lord commanded Moses to tell the Israelites. The year 2013 is seen, particularly by the Christians in East Malaysia, as the Year of Jubilee because the Federation of Malaysia was incorporated on the 16 September 1963.
What Is the Significance of the Jubilee?
• Its significance rests on its relationship with the “Sabbath”
• Sabbath is the day that God rested from His work of creation
• God consecrated Sabbath as holy 4th Commandment (Exodus 20:8)
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy• Death penalty for desecrating Sabbath Exo 31:12-17
• By God’s grace, this serious command is not repeated in the
New Testament (otherwise some of us would be goners for sure!)
In the Jewish calendar, Sabbath is on a Saturday. For us, it is the Lord’s Day usually celebrated on Sunday. Let us be reminded NOT to take the Lord’s Day lightly.
Sabbath is the 7th day of the week. Special day set aside for us byGod. The number seven is repeated many times in the bible – it is sacred/ sanctified
- 7 weeks after Passover is Pentecost
- 7th month of the Jewish calendar: Feast of the Trumpets,
the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tablenacles are celebrated
- 7th year is a Sabbatical Year
- After 7 sabbatical years come the Year of Jubilee
Salient Points of the Year of Jubilee – 4 Rs
Repentance - Day of Atonement
Redemption; the land is returned to the original owner
Restoration; slaves are set free, debts cancelled, family relationships restored
Rest; for land, people and animals
Examples of previous Jubilees
Many great events of Christian history occurred in Jubilee years:
• Birth of Abraham call to leave Ur of the Chaldees for the Promised Land
• Moses exodus, freedom from slavery
• The death and resurrection of Jesus
• ? Second coming of Jesus
Application (How are we to live and celebrate Jubilee?)
Today it is not possible for us to literally observe the Year of Jubilee as:
- We have no land to redeem
- We purchase good on loans
- We are not paid if we stop work
- Our workers are not slaves
Thus our present application of the Year of Jubilee is mainly spiritual.
All the past Jubilees are but a foreshadow of the coming Jubilee
The second coming of the Lord, as recorded in Heb 4 :18, is likely to coincide with another year of Jubilee. Therein lies our Hope of Jubilee.
Romans 8:18 – 25, 12, 20.
In the meantime, we are to live:
- In repentance and forgiveness of sin- atonement
- In redemption of land or territory lost to Satan
- In restoration of relationship, justice and fairness to one another,
and not to take advantage of each other.
- In Sabbath rest – Trusting God in for Provision; Learning His Word.