Did God give Israel an economic model based upon cycles of 7 and 50 years? How did the year of release work? Did the sabbatical year, the year of freedom from debts, picture a better release, a rest from far greater burdens? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 15.
How would a year of release, the shmita, bless a nation? Could it lessen poverty?
At the end of every seven years, you shall cancel debts. This is the way it shall be done: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not require payment from his neighbor and his brother, because Yahweh’s release has been proclaimed. Of a foreigner you may require it; but whatever of yours is with your brother, your hand shall release. However there will be no poor with you (for Yahweh will surely bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance to possess) if only you diligently listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, to observe to do all this commandment which I command you today. For Yahweh your God will bless you, as he promised you. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. You will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. (Deuteronomy 15:1-6 WEB)
However, because of sickness, foolishness, wars, droughts, discrimination, greed, oppression, and many other causes, poverty may remain. What was required in how they treated the poor?
Now if there are some poor persons among you, say one of your fellow Israelites in one of your cities in the land that the Lord your God is giving you, don’t be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward your poor fellow Israelites. To the contrary! Open your hand wide to them. You must generously lend them whatever they need. But watch yourself! Make sure no wicked thought crosses your mind, such as, The seventh year is coming—the year of debt cancellation—so that you resent your poor fellow Israelites and don’t give them anything. If you do that, they will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin. No, give generously to needy persons. Don’t resent giving to them because it is this very thing that will lead to the Lord your God’s blessing you in all you do and work at. Poor persons will never disappear from the earth. That’s why I’m giving you this command: you must open your hand generously to your fellow Israelites, to the needy among you, and to the poor who live with you in your land. (Deuteronomy 15:7-11 CEB)
Slavery through kidnapping was illegal in Israel. People could become slaves for several reasons, paying off a debt, paying back a theft, economic survival, apprenticeship, prisoners of war, etc. Were there time limits of such slavery? Could they volunteer to remain slaves as a kind of welfare?
If any of you buy Israelites as slaves, you must set them free after six years. And don't just tell them they are free to leave— give them sheep and goats and a good supply of grain and wine. The more the Lord has given you, the more you should give them. I am commanding you to obey the Lord as a reminder that you were slaves in Egypt before he set you free. But one of your slaves may say, “I love you and your family, and I would be better off staying with you, so please don't make me leave.” Take the slave to the door of your house and push a sharp metal rod through one earlobe and into the door. Such slaves will belong to you for life, whether they are men or women. Don't complain when you have to set a slave free. After all, you got six years of service at half the cost of hiring someone to do the work. (Deuteronomy 15:12-18 CEV)
How were the firstborn animals treated as a class in ancient Israel?
All the firstborn males that are born of your herd and flock you shall dedicate to the Lord your God. You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. You shall eat it, you and your household, before the Lord your God year by year at the place that the Lord will choose. But if it has any blemish, if it is lame or blind or has any serious blemish whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to the Lord your God. You shall eat it within your towns. The unclean and the clean alike may eat it, as though it were a gazelle or a deer. Only you shall not eat its blood; you shall pour it out on the ground like water. (Deuteronomy 15:19-23 ESV)
Does the year of release from debts picture a year of release, a rest from greater burdens?
He [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16-21 WEB Isaiah 61:1-2)
Did God give Israel an economic model based upon cycles of 7 and 50 years? How did the year of release work? Did the sabbatical year, the year of freedom from debts, picture a better release, a rest from far greater burdens? You decide!
