Leviticus 25: Jubilee

Before launching into specifics on this chapter it may be important to think about the real end-game of this section of Leviticus. We’ve seen the ideal of holiness thus far in Leviticus in a place (Tabernacle), in rituals, in priests, and in the behavior of individual Israelites. I would contend that in Lev. 25 we arrive at a vision of a holy society. This chapter is the “fruit” which Israel was ultimately supposed to bear as a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6). The values espoused in this chapter point to God’s desire for human society (or that’s at least my claim). And those values are what we need to focus on to read this chapter well. Don’t read this chapter thinking, “How could anyone ever pull this off in our world?”. Rather, read it thinking, “How can we faithfully pursue these values today?”. Furthermore, as Christian readers we need to ask another fundamental question: are we to pursue the values of this vision primarily for society, or primarily in the church? And what’s the relationship between the two?

Finally, I would suggest reading Acts 2:37-47 and considering how the first church lived “Jubilee” values.

Background:
Remember that in the ancient world the most powerful people were the large landowners (kings especially . . . and consider Pharaoh in the background of this passage as well). Nearly every one else was a small-scale, subsistence farmer who lived year to year. Over time (in all nations and also in Israel) small farmers invariably went into debt and were sold out to the large estate holders. This process effectively created an underclass of sharecroppers and slaves and impoverished the majority of the people. It is this issue which the prophets brought to the forefront against the kings, and which the laws of Lev. 25 are targeting.

Some Key Thoughts:
Every seven years the Israelites are to allow the land to “rest” (v.4). Note that this is not a cessation from all human labor, but a cessation from farming. Consider the implications of this not only for economics, but for the laborers and animals who would typically work the land.

Note that the trumpet announcing the coming year of Jubilee (the 50th year) is sounded on the Day of Atonement in the 49th year (v.9). That is a very significant symbol, bringing together God’s dealing of sin and a restoration of the land and people.

Note that everyone returns to their ancestral property for the Jubilee, and that land can only be sold and held until the Jubilee year when it automatically reverts to its original owners (vv.13-17).
Of course, this means that the “land shall not be sold in perpetuity” (v.23). All purchasing is only temporary.

The land cannot be sold in perpetuity because “the land is mine; with me you are but aliens and tenants” (v.23). I believe that this is one of the most important verses in the Old Testament with regard to the values it expresses about life, society and humanity. Furthermore, this verse alone provides a chunk of the theological background to Jesus’s teaching (and the early church’s) about money and possessions.

Note the requirement that other family members are free to purchase other family members’ land if they fall into debt (vv.25-28).

Note that property in cities may be sold in perpetuity (v.30) unless it is owned by a Levite.
Families are required to take in their own who become dependent (as “resident alients”, i.e. neighbors) and they cannot be loaned money with interest (vv.35-38).

If dependents become utterly impoverished they are to become servants or farmhands (v.39). Note that God claims every Israelite as His servant primarily (v.42), and therefore they must still be treated well (v.43).

If any Israelites become slaves of resident aliens they are to go free at the Jubilee (v.50).

Questions to Consider:

How do you see Jesus’s and the early church’s economic values reflected in this chapter?

What might God’s intentions be in forcing an entire year of Sabbath?


What is God’s attitude towards the land, it’s inhabitants and even their animals?


How would our lives and society look different if we believed that the land belonged to God and we were just His “tenants” or “resident aliens”?


How would our economics be impacted if we couldn’t own land in perpetuity?


What would you say this chapter teaches us about God’s intentions for His people?


How might these “Jubilee” values be implemented today?