“I Will Set My Tabernacle Among You …” (Lev. 26:11): The Christian Jubilee as a Reminder of the Fulfilled Promise of Leviticus 26:11–13

Abstract

The author of the article performs a canonical exegesis of Leviticus 26:11–13. This passage constitutes one of the promises associated with the observance of the regulations of the sabbatical and jubilee years (Lev. 26:3–13) and is reinterpreted for the first time in the Bible in the texts that concern the covenant of peace in the Book of Ezekiel (34:25–30, 37:26–28). An analysis of these texts allows us to view them as oracles which transcend the temporal boundaries associated with Israel’s return from Babylonian captivity and which thus become open to the future. The author comes to the conclusion that the New Testament texts of John 1:14 and Revelation 1:5,9–20; 2:1 should be viewed as a Christian reinterpretation of Leviticus 26:11–12 and Ezekiel 34:25–30; 37:26–28. The historical Jesus became the visible and tangible presence of God among people (John 1:14), a presence that liberates man from sin (Rev. 1:5b) as manifested in the paschal mystery of Jesus. At the same time, this presence continues to exist and become fulfilled in the Church. Jesus is present in the Church (“in the midst of the seven lampstands,” Rev. 1:13) and is still active (“walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands,” Rev. 2:1), just like God in Leviticus 26:11–12. In light of these analyses, it can be concluded that every Christian jubilee (both the current one and each of those to come) is a celebration of the memory of God’s promise of Leviticus 26:11–13 fulfilled in Jesus Christ.