KFLCC Kingdom Economics

Breaking the Spirit of Poverty and Lack

their offering or their rituals. This is why Malachi cried out that the people were robbing God (Mal 3:8) We must remember that more is accomplished with the favor of God than with the favor of man. Man’s favor toward you may shift with circumstances, but God’s favor remains through your steadfast obedience. It is in the power of God to either command a blessing (release favor, according to Lev. 25:21) or permit a curse (release disfavor, according to Mal. 2:2). Two examples will illustrate the enigma of this blessing and curse principle. Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness and was fed with manna falling from heaven each morning, except on the Sabbath day. The people received double on Friday, prior to the Sabbath, and the manna was preserved by God for the Sabbath day itself. If the Hebrews attempted to store it up on any of the other five days, it would develop worms or melt. Thus the blessing of provision could become a negative element if God’s instructions were not properly followed (Exod. 16:15-35). The second example is the Jubilee blessing. Every seventh day was a Sabbath of rest for the people, but every seventh year was called a Sabbatical year, in which the entire land was to rest (Lev. 25). This meant no planting, harvesting or work for the animals. The Almighty supernaturally blessed the sixth year with such increase (no lack) that the people could live from the sixth year’s increase through the seventh year and even into the eighth year! Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year; and it shall bring forth fruit for three years. L EVITICUS 25:21 Notice they would have enough fruit to enjoy for three years. This would be the sixth, seventh, and eight year—a total of three. The same occurred on every seventh cycle of seven years (49 years) in the year of the Jubilee. The challenge was that, as Israel claimed their Promised Land, they forgot to keep these seasons of rest. As a result they were eventually led into Babylonian captivity for refusing to allow the land to keep the Sabbaths. The seventy years of captivity are explained in 2 Chronicles 36:21: To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfill threescore and ten years. This unusual instruction was intended to bless the people, give them rest

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