70 Sabbaths without Rest

The Lord gave Ezekiel a prophecy to enact. Ezekiel lay on his left side for 390 days for the 390 years of iniquity of the children of Israel. Then he lay on his right side for 40 days for the 40 years of the iniquity of the people of Judah. The total years of iniquity were 430 years. (390 + 40 = 430).

“Lie also on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it. According to the number of the days that you lie on it, you shall bear their iniquity. For I have laid on you the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days; so you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when you have completed them, lie again on your right side; then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days. I have laid on you a day for each year.” Ezekiel 4:4-6.

For 430 years God’s people refused to keep the sabbaticals and the Jubilees holy to God. The land was kept from its rest during the 70 sabbath years.

The land was not allowed to rest for eight complete Jubilee cycles plus part of a ninth. Remember how each 49-year Jubilee cycle contains eight sabbath years? Here is how the math works:

Notice that the land was without rest 70 sabbath years during the 430 years of iniquity. Later God allowed the land to rest exactly 70 years while His people were in captivity in Babylon. God’s accounting system is completely accurate.

70 Years of Captivity

The children of Israel were taken captive to Babylon for 70 years. Jeremiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel were all prophets of God during the 70 years of captivity. They sent warnings to God’s people.

Even though they were warned repeatedly, the children of Israel did not repent and return to the Lord. They continued to rebel against Him. Finally there was no remedy and God’s wrath was poured out on His people.

Here is the sad story of what happened:

1. God told the children of Israel that if they did not keep the sabbaticals and Jubilees they would be taken out of their land so the land could enjoy its sabbath rest.
   Leviticus 26:27-35.
2. The children of Israel neglected the sabbaticals and Jubilees for 430 years. During this time the land missed 70 sabbath years. Ezekiel 4:1-6. (See chart above: 70 Sabbaths without rest).
3. The children of Israel were taken into captivity to Babylon for 70 years.
   Jeremiah 25:8-12.
4. Jerusalem was burned and ruined, many people were killed, many people were taken captive to Babylon, and God’s beautiful temple was destroyed. Then the land was allowed to lay desolate for 70 years to enjoy her sabbath rest. 2 Chronicles 36:15-21.

Read on to find out about 70 "sevens" to Abolish Sin.