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Leviticus Chapter 25







 

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GiGi's Leviticus Chapter 25 comment on 1/27/2023, 12:20pm...

Lev. 25, vrs. 35-55

These slaves become the property of the owner and can be given as an inheritance to one's children. They can be permanent slaves, but not so fellow Israelites. So, it is clear that slavery was common in these times, and God does not forbid it. These foreign persons did not possess the land by God's gift and promise like the Israelites. So, being slaves may have made it possible to live among the Israelites for generations.

Next, God speaks of a sojourner or stranger becoming rich and an Israelite selling himself to this alien as a servant. A kinsman can redeem this person from their indenturement, providing a fair price for removing this servant from this alien's service. Then this servant will become the servant of the kinsman and be released from servitude in the Jubilee year. The servant and his family are all released and can return to their family and land possession.

At the end of the chapter, God emphasizes again that the Israelites are HIS servants, because He redeemed them from slavery in Egypt.

God's statutes concerning the 7th and 50th year Sabbaths show God's concern for the poor and needy, He wants them to be able to work for their keep as servants (Israelites) or slaves (foreigners) so that they will not be destitute. God wants masters to be kind and not overbearing or harsh with those they hire or acquire as slave. They are to be willing to release these people from indebtedness in the Jubilee year, but can keep foreign slaves indefinitely.

These statutes, when followed should promote concern for the welfare of all people and also curb materialism and people setting up large holdings of land and servants. They are to possess the land allotted to them by God and release the land purchased from others in the Jubilee Year. These statutes should train the Israelites to be contented with their allotment and not covet more than what God has proscribed. Debts are completely forgiven in the Jubilee year and servants set free.

 


GiGi's Leviticus Chapter 25 comment on 1/27/2023, 12:01pm...

Leviticus Chapter 25, verses 35-55

The first part of this chapter dealt with how the Israelites are to give the land "rest" every 7 years and every 50th year.

This last half of the chapter deals with how the Israelites are to deal with one another in the Sabbath years.

Verse 35 begins by requiring the Israelites to help each other when one become poor, just as they are to do for the strangers or those passing through (sojourners). Taking care of the poor is prominent in this chapter as God does not want His people to be destitute nor a great disparity between the rich and poor. Since He promised to bless them abundantly, there would be plenty for them to share with others in need, even to the point of having a poor person live with you.

God speaks about indebtedness and that one is not to charge interest or practice usury. When caring for the poor, especially if their is need for them to live with you, one is not to charge them for staying at one's house, for food, and certainly not charging interest. This practice keeps those who have wealth from exploiting the poor.

God goes on to speak of a neighbor who, due to poverty, wishes to become an indentured servant to a neighbor of means. God says that he can sell himself to you as a worker, but one cannot compel one to be a slave because they are not to own one another. This servant will be paid for his work and will be released from any monetary obligations in the Jubilee year and be freed from further service. In the Jubilee, this servant will depart the household with his family and return to his family and the family land possession.

The LORD emphasized in verse 42 that these servants are His servants who He brought out of slavery in Egypt, therefore they cannot be sold as slaves. As a master, one is not to rule over them with rigor or harsh treatment of unreasonable work demands. However, the Israelites could own slaves from the people of other nations who live among them. Adults and children can be slaves

 


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