Exodus 23:11

The seventh year. Though other nations had their days of rest at regular or irregular intervals, entire years of rest were observed by the Israelites. This may have exposed them to the rebuke of idleness by other nations. Since agriculture was primitive, crop rotation unknown, and artificial fertilizers were not used, it is probable that no financial loss resulted from the program. However, the desire for gain made the enforcement of the provision difficult. The “seventy years” captivity was intended to make up for the failure to observe the sabbatical years (2 Chron. 36:17–21).

The primary purpose of the law as here stated was to provide for the poor (see Lev. 25:1–7). What the land produced of itself without cultivation belonged to all as a common possession, even to the “beasts of the field.” It was no doubt intended also that this sabbatical year should be one of increased religious observance, in which the solemn reading of the law at the Feast of Tabernacles in “the year of release” (Deut. 31:10, 11) played a part. This reading was preceded by a period of religious preparation (Neh. 8). This sabbatical year must have been a solemn season, one which led to self-examination, the formation of holy habits, and brought spiritual uplift to the people. Since grain, wine, and oil were the important products of Palestine, it is apparent that the whole land was to rest.