BUC Boot Camp 2007 - Session 5

THE YEAR OF THE LORD'S FAVOUR

The Year of Rest
Leviticus 25 - A Year of Rest
Sabbatical Year
(Lev 25:1-7, Deut 15:1-11, Ex 23:10-11)
A year of rest for the land of Israel. To be uncultivated for one year.
The wild produce of the land was for the poor.
Brought in release and rest, and was a time when the poor benefited.
Ancient Israel was an agricultural society. So the stipulations would be especially meaningful to the people.

The Year of Jubilee (every 50th Year)
Like the sabbatical year, the land was to be rested or released from work.
God promised to abundantly bless Israel in the 6th year so that there would be enough food for 3 years till the new harvest year.
(Lev 25:18-22)

The Year of Release
The Sabbatical Year
(Ex 21:1-6, Deut 15:1-6, 12-18)
All debts were to be cancelled (interest + capital).
Removed the yoke of bondage to labour. Instead of human effort to get greater wealth, Israel rested for a full year and used up her provisions.
By the 8th year, all Israel would start from zero base together. Creates compassion and desire to look after others’ interests rather than just oneself’s.
The lesson was that all things now bound will be released.

The Year of Jubilee
(Lev 25:13-17,23-55)
The land was released from all ownership free of charge and returned to its original owner (Josh 18-19).
If families had to sell the land it would remain their everlasting inheritance by reverting back to their ownership on Jubilee.
In the Sabbath Year all debts were cancelled. But in Jubilee, slaves were released so that they could return to take possession of they allotted inheritance. Their original inheritance was restored by God!


The Promises of Jubilee
• Rest from ceaseless labour and striving.
• God will abundantly provide for our needs.
• Security comes from God NOT ourselves.
• God cares for and watches over the poor.
• All debts and past mistakes are cancelled.
• All are equal in God’s eyes.
• Total release from slavery.
• FORFEITED DESTINIES ARE RESTORED!

Luke 4:14-21
The Year of the Lord’s Favour
Refers to the full Jubilee through Christ.
It includes:
• The anointing of God’s Spirit
• Good news to the poor
• Freedom for the captives
• Recovery of sight for the blind
• Release for the oppressed

Good News to the Poor and Outcast
• The feeding of the 4,000 and 5,000
(Mat 15:29-39, Luke 9:10-17).
• The forgiveness of sins for the prostitutes and tax collectors (Luke 7:36-50, 19:1-10).
• The forgiveness of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11).
• The healing of the Canaanite woman’s daughter (Mat 15:21-28).
• The ministry to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4).

Release for the Captives & Oppressed
• The healing of the blind, the deaf, the lepers, the crippled and the paralysed.
• Deliverance from the demon that was mute (Luke 11:14).
• The healing of the woman with the issue of blood (Mat 9:18-22).
• The healing of the crippled woman, …this daughter of Abraham whom satan has kept bound for 18 long years [has been] set free… (Luke 13:10-17)

Forfeited Destinies are Restored
• The healing of the demoniac …the man was sitting there, dressed and in his right mind… Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you… (Mk 5:1-20).
• The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).
• The forgiveness and restoration of Peter (John 21:15-19).
• Saul’s conversion and transformation into the Apostle Paul (Acts 9).
The Anointing of God’s Spirit
• Authority and Participation in God’s salvific work – the sending out of the 72 disciples (Luke 10).
• The Great Commission to the Church
(Mat 28:18-20, Mk 16:15-20).
• The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) – the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit came.
• Book of Acts – the Church demonstrated the authority and power of God. The Church continued the ministry of Jesus.

The Year of the Lord’s Favour
• There is Rest and Release for the weary and the oppressed.
• God gives His authority and anointing.
• God will abundantly provide for our needs.
• God cares for and watches over the poor.
• All debts and past mistakes are cancelled.
• God heals and restores.
• God gives total release from all slavery.
• FORFEITED DESTINIES ARE RESTORED!

Personal Response
• Declare and affirm that GOD is your ONLY security and provider.
• Repent of all your sins and ask Jesus to cleanse you completely.
• Choose to receive ALL the promises and blessings of Jubilee through Christ – rest, release, breaking of bondages, provision, authority, anointing, restoration of destiny…
• Choose to fulfil God’s destiny for your life – to be a channel of God’s blessing and favour to your family, friends, colleagues, church and community [call them out by name].

Pray for Bandar Utama Chapel
• Ask God to completely transform BUC into harvest warriors for God’s Kingdom.
• Pray for BUC to have a new anointing, new authority, new zeal and new passion to fufil God’s destiny.
• Ask God to anoint BUC with the Spirit of the Lord to continue the ministry of Christ:
– Preach good news and minister to the poor
– Set the spiritual captives and prisoners free
– Heal the sick and deliver the demon-possessed
– Announce the Year of the Lord’s Favour