Exodus 23:10 And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:

Exodus 23:10 "And you shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield,

10. six years thou shalt sow thy land--intermitting the cultivation of the land every seventh year. But it appears that even then there was a spontaneous produce which the poor were permitted freely to gather for their use, and the beasts driven out fed on the remainder, the owners of fields not being allowed to reap or collect the fruits of the vineyard or oliveyard during the course of this sabbatical year. This was a regulation subservient to many excellent purposes; for, besides inculcating the general lesson of dependence on Providence, and of confidence in His faithfulness to His promise respecting the triple increase on the sixth year (Le 25:20, 21), it gave the Israelites a practical proof that they held their properties of the Lord as His tenants, and must conform to His rules on pain of forfeiting the lease of them.

JFB.

Exodus 23 Images and Notes

Brief Summary: This chapter continues and concludes the acts that passed in the first session (if I may so call it) upon mount Sinai. Here are, I. Some laws of universal obligation, relating especially to the ninth commandment, against bearing false witness (v. 1), and giving false judgment (v. 2, v. 3, v. 6-8). Also a law of doing good to our enemies (v. 4, v. 5), and not oppressing strangers (v. 9). II. Some laws peculiar to the Jews. The sabbatical year (v. 10, v. 11), the three annual feasts (v. 14-17), with some laws pertaining thereto. III. Gracious promises of the completing of the mercy God had begun for them, upon condition of their obedience. That God would conduct them through the wilderness (v. 20-24), that he would prosper all they had (v. 25, v. 26), that he would put them in possession of Canaan (v. 27-31). But they must not mingle themselves with the nations (v. 32, v. 33).

Outline

Laws against falsehood and injustice. (1-9)
The year of rest, The sabbath, The three festivals. (10-19)
God promises to conduct the Israelites to Canaan. (20-33)

Photo of the Sinai Wilderness