10 " You shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield , 11 but on the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow , so that the needy of your people may eat ; and whatever they leave the beast of the field may eat . You are to do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove . 12 " Six days you are to do your work , but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest , and the son of your female slave , as well as your stranger , may refresh themselves. 13 "Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard ; and do not mention the name of other gods , nor let them be heard from your mouth .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 23:10-13
Commentary on Exodus 23:10-19
(Read Exodus 23:10-19)
Every seventh year the land was to rest. They must not plough or sow it; what the earth produced of itself, should be eaten, and not laid up. This law seems to have been intended to teach dependence on Providence, and God's faithfulness in sending the larger increase while they kept his appointments. It was also typical of the heavenly rest, when all earthly labours, cares, and interests shall cease for ever. All respect to the gods of the heathen is strictly forbidden. Since idolatry was a sin to which the Israelites leaned, they must blot out the remembrance of the gods of the heathen. Solemn religious attendance on God, in the place which he should choose, is strictly required. They must come together before the Lord. What a good Master do we serve, who has made it our duty to rejoice before him! Let us devote with pleasure to the service of God that portion of our time which he requires, and count his sabbaths and ordinances to be a feast unto our souls. They were not to come empty-handed; so now, we must not come to worship God empty-hearted; our souls must be filled with holy desires toward him, and dedications of ourselves to him; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.