Tag: sabbath
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Living Simply in Abundance (7)
Earlier in this series, I wrote that wealth and prosperity were promised outcomes for faithfulness to the Mosaic covenant. But within that covenant, we find this warning: Deuteronomy 8:17-20 17 Do not say to yourself, "My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth." 18 But remember the LORD your…
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Theology and Economics: Jubilee Code
The most instructive passage on economic behavior is Leviticus 25 instructions concerning the sabbath and Jubilee. Chapter 25 is often referred to as the "Jubilee Code." Leviticus 25:1-7 1 The LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying: 2 Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: When you enter the land that…
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The Economic Catalyst
For the past few days, I have written about economic justice as we find it in the Bible (Distributive, Commutative, and Remedial.) As we look at the world at Israel's birth, we see cultures full of economic oppression. Slavery was widespread. Poor people were of little consequence. Court justice was skewed toward those with power.…
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Jubilee Ethic
Jubilee sounds like an idea with great potential. However, as Yogi Berra once observed, “To say a player has potential means he hasn’t done it yet.” (Of course, he also said, “I didn’t really say a lot of the things I said.”) There is no evidence that Israel ever observed the Jubilee. In fact, they…
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One God
Several weeks ago, I wrote about viewing Scripture as a six-act play. Act 1 was the creation of the heavens and earth and the placement of Adam and Eve in Eden. Act 2 was the rebellion of humanity against God. Act 3 began with Abraham's call and the Israelites' birth. It continues up to the…