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You asked

what was the purpose of the 'year of release' in ancient israelite society for the poor?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Deuteronomy 15:1-3

At the end of every seven years you shall make a release. This is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because Yahweh’s release has been proclaimed. Of a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours is with your brother, your hand shall release.

Deuteronomy is a collection of speeches given by Moses to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, around the 15th-13th century BCE. These verses lay out specific laws for how the community should structure its finances and relationships, emphasizing social justice.

What systems might be put in place to prevent cycles of debt and poverty in your community today?

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

  • Leviticus 25:8-17

    Describes the Jubilee year, a more extensive release every 50 years, including land return.

  • Nehemiah 5:1-13

    Shows a real-world example of debt and land relief being implemented by Nehemiah during the post-exilic period.

  • Matthew 6:12

    Jesus teaches his disciples to pray for forgiveness of debts, connecting financial and spiritual concepts.

Ask your own follow-up