Sabbath Laws

Reading: Exodus 23:10-12

Laws like those set out in this passage are why I love Exodus. I like to imagine what the world would be like if we still followed these laws.

There are two very important things introduced in verse 11. Firstly, we see the beginning of crop rotation practices. Every seven years the crops were to lie fallow to give the land rest. With today's understanding of agriculture crop rotation has become a science and we can avoid leaving the land fallow by alternating between different crops - for example growing lucern in between crops of cereals as the lucern fixes nitrogen into the soil which these crops use a lot of. However this law was a way of teaching the Israelites to respect the land and preventing the degradation that can occur when land is overused. By allowing the crops to lie fallow the soil was given a chance to recover from cropping.

The second exciting thing in this verse is the second reason given for leaving the land fallow every seven years -to provide food for the poor and the animals. The Bible makes specific provision for the feeding of animals through this verse. I think this verse is chastening in light of the way we often try to exclude animals from our bounty. The drought has hit hard not only on people but on animals, yet in our desire to scrape a profit animals often become the enemy. Some farmers have even been given licenses to kill endangered species if they are 'threatening their crops'; yet they are starving too. Similar issues surround water supplies, with wild animals being prevented from accessing what may be the only water in the area. The Bible doesn't say we should let animals have all our crops, but I think it suggests it is fair to allow animals some food; and I would argue especially in the drought.

In verse twelve we have a repeat of the Sabbath day law, with a specific mention of beasts of burden being given rest, not just humans. God's rest and love is for all creatures.