I mentioned that yesterday (24th September) was New Year’s Day in the Hebrew calendar. It so happens it is also the start of a Sabbatic Year, known as the Shemitah, according to the Rabbis. I am not getting involved with making suggestions based upon this, except to say that it would be wonderful if the Lord were to institute His reign of peace, so that the whole world might experience His Shemitah.
So what is the Shemitah? It is the Hebrew word for the year of rest for the land, when the ground could take its rest and recover, allowing a profusion of wild plants to grow and bring nutriment to the soil. Clover used to be used for that purpose before the days of intensive farming in the Western World.
Much can be learned from the Hebrew Calendar and the laws of God in the Pentateuch. I mentioned that Rosh Hashanah was amemorial day, recalling the time when the sons of God shouted their praise and joy at the creation of the world. There are many other memorials mentioned in the Bible, mostly in the O.T. Here are just a few of obvious importance –
Exodus 12:14. “This day [Passover] shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations.”
Numbers 10:10. “On the days of your appointed feasts you shall blow the trumpets . . . and they shall serve you for remembrance [or memorials] before your God.”
Joshua 4:7. [Concerning the pile of stones set up after crossing the Jordan] “When your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord when it passed over Jordan. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial for ever.”
Luke 22:19. “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance [or memorial] of me. LIkewise the cup, after supper . . .” Paul repeats this in 1 Cor.11:25
Matt.26:13. [After the woman had anointed the Lord’s body with precious oil) “Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
It remains for me to ask whether anyone can remember hearing of this act when listening to the Gospel being preached?
