Prophetic Convergence | Current and Historical Events, Finances, and the Shmita Year
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At Rosh Hashanah, we entered into the new year—5782, which is a Shmita year. If there were ever a time you needed biblical financial instruction, it would be now.
In Hebrew, the word “shmita” means “a letting go” or “release.” In the Bible, the Shmita year is described as a time of rest and debt release. It is a year intended to reflect God’s principle of rest. He established six days of work and one day of rest each week. He did the same with years, a seven-year cycle that reflected the week—work the land for six years and allow it to rest for one.
“Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.”
—Exodus 23:10-12
“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord’s release.”
—Deuteronomy 15:1-2
The Shmita cycle gives us a timetable for understanding the prophetic convergence in finances. This is because, in ancient Israel, the land and the harvests were tied to the economy. Many of us don’t think about this now. However, the same principle applies. A nation’s economy is greatly impacted by the condition of its land. This is why so many are praying 2 Chronicles 7:14, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
With today’s current events and a look at history, you can see how we might be approaching a financial collapse of some nature.
Below is a list of financial collapses that matched up with Shmitah years…
Financial Disasters and Events that Occurred During Shmita Years
- 1916-1917 — 40% of the United States stock market value was wiped out; German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Ottoman Empires collapsed; Britain, the world’s greatest empire, was almost bankrupt
- 1930-1931 — 86% of the United States stock market value was wiped out in the worst financial crisis in modern history
- 1937-1938 — 50% of the United States stock market value was wiped out; there was a global recession, and World War II began
- 1944-1945 — World War II ended, there was a victory parade on the 29th of Elul (the last day of the year)
- 1972-1973 — 48% of the United States stock market was wiped out and there was a global recession
- 1979-1980 — A severe recession affected the U.S. and much of the world
- 1986-1987 — 33% of the United States stock market value was wiped out
- 1993-1994 — Bond market crashed
- 2000-2001 — 37% of the United States stock market value was wiped out; Twin Towers were hit on 9/11, and there was a global recession
- 2007-2008 — 50% of the United States stock market value was wiped out; there was a global recession
- 2014-2015 — Sharp fall in share markets at the end of the Shmita year
This is not to say that there will be a financial disaster for everyone. But there is a warning that can help guide us to make wise choices and to get us into alignment with God’s calendar.
Want to know more about the Shmita year? Click and watch the video above of Rabbi Curt Landry and Lance Wallnau discussing current events and the Shmita year.
Spiritual Principles of the Shmita Year
As you can see, there are many financial connections with the Shmita year, but are there also spiritual principles we can follow?
Yes!
Here are three principles to prayerfully consider and take notice of during this Shmita year:
- Rest
Have you noticed the Spirit of God prompting you to rest and take a break from something you’ve been doing for years? It might be because He is working to get you into alignment with His calendar.
“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.”
—Hebrews 4:9-11
- Refocus
The Spirit can move in ways to remove things from your life with the intention for you to refocus on Him. Has there been a “removal” of some kind? Ask the Lord how He wants you to refocus on Him during this Shmita year.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
—Matthew 6:33
- Trust
Trusting the Lord when the world around you seems to be crumbling can be difficult. However, this is all the more reason and time to trust His Word and promises, remembering His instruction regarding relationships, finances, and health.
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’”
—Romans 8:15
Remember, the Covenant-Keeping God is consistent in this inconsistent world. Run to Him as the Rock of your salvation and seek His refuge. He loves you and He will protect you. Rest, refocus on Him, and trust His Word.