August 1, 2018 - Day 115 - Leviticus 25

I am writing from my desk in Seattle, WA.

Leviticus 25:

Read closely in passage for something remarkable.

This chapter kicks off with a reminder to grow stuff for six years and then do nothing during the seventh year.

Next, we have multiplication tables, trumpets and a party.  During this fiftieth party year, just don't do anything.

If you sell or buy land, don't take advantage of people!

Then God reminds everyone to obey the laws.

Don't sell land permanently, because that is God's land, yo!

There's some stuff about selling land that is frankly not interesting.  Blah blah more land stuff.

BUT HERE IS SOMETHING TO REMEMBER.  HOLD UP.

"If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you."

I LOVE THIS.

Why?

Because it operates under the assumption that CLEARLY we are supposed to help and support the foreigner and the stranger.

To add, do not take interest or profit from them.

If an Israelite (genetically speaking today -- everyone) become poor and sells themselves, don't make them work as slaves.  NO LONGER SLAVES.

Next is a part about buying slaves from "other nations," which is unfortunate.  This chapter had a lot going for it until we got to this part.  But slaves were a thing, so yeah.

We close with a bit about being rich and redemption and selling stuff.  Not interesting.  This chapter is pretty dynamic.

What do I take away from it?  Even in the thick of the shit of thousands of years ago, way before Jesus, a voice was screaming at us to care for the other.  We are just as far removed from the year 5500 as we are from this time, yet this message shouts ever so loudly.




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