The Israelites were captives in Babylon for 70 years because they did not keep the Sabbatical Year that God commanded. Every 7 years the ground was to remain fallow, in other words it was not supposed to be farmed. God said he would supply all their needs during that time as this was a time to worship and grow closer to Him. This Sabbath year was known as "Shemitah” which literally means release. This commandment had not been followed so God allowed them to go into captivity to give the ground rest and to let them know that God had not forgotten what He had said.

Leviticus 25:3-6

Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. What grows of its own accord of your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine, for it is a year of rest for the land. 6 And the sabbath produce of the land shall be food for you: for you, your male and female servants, your hired man, and the stranger who dwells with you, (NKJV)

Those that follow God’s word will be richly rewarded.

Leviticus 25:21–22

Then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it will bring forth produce enough for three years. 22 And you shall sow in the eighth year, and eat old produce until the ninth year; until its produce comes in, you shall eat of the old harvest. (NKJV)

Not only were they to release the land from being worked but they were also commanded to release debt. Deuteronomy 15:1 -2

As Christians we have to not only hear and study the Word of God but we have to apply the Word to our daily lives but the only way to do that is to believe and have faith that His Word is true and cannot return void. The Bible gives us the principles to live by but it is up to us to choose to follow them.

There are examples after examples of the results of disobedience and the Jews’ captivity in Babylon is just one. This also is an example that He is a forgiving God for when the Jews left Babylon they left with wealth to rebuild their city.

This is the year to build a stronger and deeper relationship with God. A year to study and develop a greater understanding of His Word. Get ready to see God work in your life as you are obedient to His word. This is the year of release!

God Bless!