Celebrating  When Seven Times Seven Equals Fifty

No, this is not some new kind of maths.  And, no, the Executive Principal has not lost his marbles. 

During the Day of Atonement, the blowing of a ram’s horn would indicate the start of the Year of Jubilee. The Israelites would dedicate this year of rest to God, acknowledging that God would provide for their needs.

In Scripture, we see the Israelites place an important emphasis on certain days of the week (Exodus 20:8-11),  certain holidays and observances throughout the year, and even certain years.

The Year of Jubilee, which came every 50th year, was a year full of final payments being made so that all debts could be resolved, slaves were set free, and land and wealth were returned to those to whom God had originally assigned them (Leviticus 25:1-13).

Jubilee was also designed to perpetuate the family’s enjoyment of the fruit of their labour, as they used their creativity to turn their land into an approximation of the Garden of Eden. It was a time for all people to return to their families and loved ones.

What’s so special about the 50th year?

The Bible places a special emphasis on the number seven. After all, there are seven days in a week, and the seventh day is supposed to be the Sabbath, a day dedicated to rest and worship. Similarly with the land - work it for six years and then give it a Sabbath year of rest.

But this isn’t the only year that Israel let the land rest. After seven Sabbath years - or 49 calendar years, as indicated in (Leviticus 25:18-22) - comes  the Year of Jubilee, a year to restore wholeness and to celebrate how God has provided over the previous 49 years.

Why Did God Enact the Year of Jubilee?

It is a call to restore relationships, to give back what we owe. It is also a time for paying particular attention to those who need the greatest help, and finding meaningful ways to do that. 

God also instituted the Year of Jubilee as a foreshadowing of His future work on the cross. It is designed to be a year of returning shalom to all circumstances – a year of focusing on that.  

Jesus is the Prince of Peace – Sar Shalom: so a Jubilee year is a time of celebration to bring glory to Him for His work in each one of us.

Why Do This?

Celebrating God’s goodness should be a constant practice for His followers: setting aside time for special reflection, looking forward with hope to the next 50 years – knowing God’s goodness and seeking to know His will – these are discipleship activities at a special time that certainly have precedent.

Donvale Christian College will be 50 in 2025

And so we start to prepare for our Jubilee year. We have a team who are already discussing how we should celebrate and acknowledge God’s great work among us over the last 50 years.  Any decisions they make will be governed by our essential Donvale values, most especially wise stewardship of all our resources.

This year, 2023, we are beginning a new habit of dedicating the year, as whole school(s) (Primary and Secondary) to God. The students are gathering in two student-led worship services this coming Tuesday morning. 

The College’s Founders will also join us as we celebrate and honour their faithful work.

We are excited about pausing and dedicating in this formal way.  It gives each student a moment to consider not only where we have come from as a school under God, but also what He may have in store for them in 2023, as we seek to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

Shalom.