I don’t mean the smutty sort I mean the soil beneath your feet. Whilst writing an essay on Christian engagement in environmental concerns I came across some interesting scripture.

In 2 Chron. 36:21 is written ‘ So the message of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest, lying desolate until the seventy years were fulfilled, just as the prophet had said.’ NLT

He is right of course, Jeremiah did prophecy this exile of God’s people into Babylon for 70 years (Jer. 29:10). I think that as Christians we assume this was because of their moral failure or worship of other gods. There is another and older reason.

Lev. 26:32-35 talks about the importance of giving the land rest by a seven year sabbatical or furlough, and what happens if you don’t.

32 Yes, I myself will devastate your land, and your enemies who come to occupy it will be appalled at what they see. 33 I will scatter you among the nations and bring out my sword against you. Your land will become desolate, and your cities will lie in ruins. 34 Then at last the land will enjoy its neglected Sabbath years as it lies desolate while you are in exile in the land of your enemies. Then the land will finally rest and enjoy the Sabbaths it missed. 35 As long as the land lies in ruins, it will enjoy the rest you never allowed it to take every seventh year while you lived in it. NLT

God cares about this planet, including the earth that gives us food. I wonder what he thinks of us as we pour on fertilizers, overusing the land until it turns to dust. If you wanted a spiritual reason for regenerative farming its right there.

It also reminds us of the importance of rest which God built into the world he created. Israel’s failure to observe the Sabbath was probably a mixture of desire for the wealth of the ‘lost’ year or perhaps thinking they knew better? We are only just discovering how wonderful and complex is  soil and its micro organisms. It is a warning that when we ignore the foundational truths of how God wants us to live it is easier to start ignoring other things; as Israel did.

So if you have a patch of soil to tend then cherish it; God does. Look after it, tend it, then put your feet up and have a little rest!