When we hear the word “Sabbath”, we usually think of a day that comes regularly every week. But the word “Sabbath” also can apply to an entire year—a Sabbath Year that comes once every seventh year.

This ideal of working six years and resting the seventh year follows the same pattern as the Sabbath Week: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work . . .. (Deuteronomy 5:13).

Furthermore, this pattern of work-six-rest-one is the same pattern established at the very beginning of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures.

In six days, “the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.” (Genesis 2:1).

“[S]o on the seventh day [God] rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all of the work of creating that he had done” (Genesis 2:2-3).

This ratio of work-six-rest-one also applies to years. Work six years. Rest one year.

Such a longer term perspective is necessary to complete the works of our hands in all their vast array.

All of us are created in the image of God. Therefore, all of us should be establishing works of our hands that are images of the good works of God. Nevertheless, the specifics of these works of our hands vary for each of us and for each civilization.

And so, the works of our hands encompass many ways to “do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12). The works of our hands encompass many ways to “let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” (Amos 5:24).

How do we achieve this longer term perspective during our Sabbath Years?

We learn that we do “not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4).

If we skip working one year after working hard for six years (Exodus 23:10:11; Leviticus 25:1-7), we will learn to trust that the LORD will provide (Genesis 22:14).

We will also learn to protect all people and all nature from abuse and exploitation.

How?

During Sabbath Years, we will free some slaves (Exodus 21:2) We will let workers rest. We will feed the poor. We will let nature thrive. (Exodus 23:10-11; Leviticus 25:1-7).

During Sabbath Years, be like Abraham. Get out of your tent. Get out of your rut. Get out of your same old routine.

During Sabbath Years, be like Abraham. Look up at the countless stars. And know that the good fruit of your life will be as countless as the stars.

During Sabbath Years, discover new, better ways to “do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12).

During Sabbath Years, discover new, better ways to “let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” (Amos 5:24).

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To read more about my Visions of the Sabbath, please read my blogs “Sabbath Creation”, “Sabbath Week”, “Sabbath Seasons”, and “Sabbath Experiences”.

To read more about Abraham getting out of his tent to be inspired by the countless stars, please read my blog “Getting Out of Your Tent” and the section “Abraham Believes God’s Promises” in my book The Promised Land, at pages 30-34.