This verse shows how God invites His people to supplant fear with faith by believing He will meet all their needs.
In the broader context of Leviticus 25, the LORD instructed Moses on Mount Sinai, located in the Sinai Peninsula of present-day Egypt, that every seventh year was to be a sabbath rest for the land. Moses, who led the Israelites around 1445 BC, conveyed this command so the people would trust God for provision and grant the land the same kind of rest He demonstrated after creating the heavens and the earth (Exodus 23:10-11; Leviticus 25:1-7). This sabbatical practice set Israel apart from the exploitative ways of neighboring nations, emphasizing dependence on God’s faithful care. With the land unfarmed during that seventh year, the question naturally arose, “What will we eat if we do nothing to gather or sow?”
In Leviticus 25:20, the LORD acknowledged this concern by saying: But if you say, ‘What are we going to eat on the seventh year if we do not sow or gather in our crops?’ (v.20). Here, God anticipated the anxiety the Israelites would feel about leaving their fields unworked. No planting or harvesting meant they would have to rely on God’s supernatural care, trusting that He would supply what was necessary throughout the sabbath year. This instruction challenged their faith because it required taking God at His word that He would provide abundantly.
By calling for a full halt to agricultural labor every seventh year, the LORD displayed His heart for both the land and the people. In effect, God’s commandment removed the temptation toward endless toil and exploitation, teaching His covenant community that their lives did not hinge solely upon their own efforts (Exodus 16:29). This same posture of dependence is echoed in the New Testament teachings of Jesus, who encourages believers not to worry about provisions but to trust in God’s goodness (Matthew 6:31). Thus, the message of Leviticus 25:20 remains a timeless reminder of God’s desire for His children to rest in His faithful generosity.
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Leviticus 25:20 meaning
In the broader context of Leviticus 25, the LORD instructed Moses on Mount Sinai, located in the Sinai Peninsula of present-day Egypt, that every seventh year was to be a sabbath rest for the land. Moses, who led the Israelites around 1445 BC, conveyed this command so the people would trust God for provision and grant the land the same kind of rest He demonstrated after creating the heavens and the earth (Exodus 23:10-11; Leviticus 25:1-7). This sabbatical practice set Israel apart from the exploitative ways of neighboring nations, emphasizing dependence on God’s faithful care. With the land unfarmed during that seventh year, the question naturally arose, “What will we eat if we do nothing to gather or sow?”
In Leviticus 25:20, the LORD acknowledged this concern by saying: But if you say, ‘What are we going to eat on the seventh year if we do not sow or gather in our crops?’ (v.20). Here, God anticipated the anxiety the Israelites would feel about leaving their fields unworked. No planting or harvesting meant they would have to rely on God’s supernatural care, trusting that He would supply what was necessary throughout the sabbath year. This instruction challenged their faith because it required taking God at His word that He would provide abundantly.
By calling for a full halt to agricultural labor every seventh year, the LORD displayed His heart for both the land and the people. In effect, God’s commandment removed the temptation toward endless toil and exploitation, teaching His covenant community that their lives did not hinge solely upon their own efforts (Exodus 16:29). This same posture of dependence is echoed in the New Testament teachings of Jesus, who encourages believers not to worry about provisions but to trust in God’s goodness (Matthew 6:31). Thus, the message of Leviticus 25:20 remains a timeless reminder of God’s desire for His children to rest in His faithful generosity.