Leviticus 26:35

As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.

As long as {H3117} it lieth desolate {H8074} it shall rest {H7673}; because it did not rest {H7673} in your sabbaths {H7676}, when ye dwelt {H3427} upon it.

Yes, as long as it lies desolate it will have rest, the rest it did not have during your Shabbats, when you lived there.

As long as it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not receive during the Sabbaths when you lived in it.

As long as it lieth desolate it shall have rest, even the rest which it had not in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.

Commentary

Leviticus 26:35 is part of a significant chapter detailing the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience within God's covenant with Israel. This specific verse highlights a severe consequence of Israel's failure to keep the land's prescribed Sabbath rests.

Context

Chapter 26 of Leviticus presents a stark choice to the Israelites: obedience to God's laws brings prosperity and security, while disobedience leads to severe judgment, including famine, defeat by enemies, and ultimately, exile from the land. Verses 33-35 specifically describe the desolation of the land as a direct result of Israel's covenant unfaithfulness, particularly their neglect of the Sabbatical years (Leviticus 25:1-7) and the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-12). God declares that if they fail to give the land its prescribed rest, He will ensure it gets its rest during their forced absence and exile.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Consequences: The verse underscores God's commitment to uphold His covenant, even through judgment. The land's desolation is not random but a precise, divinely ordained consequence for specific transgressions, demonstrating that God's laws have serious implications.
  • The Land's Sabbath Rest: A central theme is the importance of the land's rest. Just as humans were commanded to rest on the weekly Sabbath, the land was to rest every seventh year. This was a demonstration of trust in God's provision and a recognition that the land ultimately belonged to Him (Leviticus 25:23).
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This prophecy was literally fulfilled during the Babylonian exile, when the land of Judah lay desolate for approximately 70 years, a period often linked to the missed Sabbath years (2 Chronicles 36:21).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rest" used here is shabbat (שַׁבָּΧͺ), which is the root of the familiar word "Sabbath." It implies cessation, repose, and a complete stopping of work. The repeated use emphasizes that the land was owed its rest, and if man would not grant it willingly, God would ensure it received it through other means, even through desolation.

Practical Application

While believers today are not under the Mosaic Law regarding literal Sabbatical years, the principles embedded in this verse remain profoundly relevant:

  • The Seriousness of Disobedience: God takes His commands seriously, and there are consequences for neglecting His will. This applies to spiritual principles in the New Covenant as well, such as seeking God's kingdom first and living according to His righteous standards.
  • Respect for Creation: The command for the land to rest highlights God's design for balance, sustainability, and the proper stewardship of creation. It encourages us to be good stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us, recognizing that they are ultimately His.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even in judgment, God's purposes are fulfilled. He ensures that His will is accomplished, even if it means using difficult circumstances to bring about His desired outcome, reminding us of His ultimate control over all things.
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Cross-References

  • Romans 8:22

    For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

  • Isaiah 24:5

    The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

  • Isaiah 24:6

    Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.