Superior Economic Laws

Let’s examine what’s behind some superior economic laws found in Leviticus.

Right Legal Basis

The right basis of law must include one of Jesus’ two Great Commandments.

“... you must love your neighbor as yourself …” (Leviticus 19:18 CEB)

Opposite to love of neighbor is greed. It plagues our world. Selfish societies self-destruct and the result is unstable economies and market crashes. Venice is a case study. Once an affluent, open market, greed destroyed its economy.

The wealthy claim that too many people are dependent upon the government for help, when it is they who have often been dependent upon the government for unfair tax breaks and government bailouts. Just like in Venice, today’s greed is destroying the economic system and the very freedom that gave the rich their wealth. The answer lies in Jesus’ command to love thy neighbor. Righteous capitalism uses as a business model the love of God and neighbor.

This law of love is expounded throughout the books of Moses with practical examples. Sadly, the law is held in low esteem by some Christians, because they don’t understand what God taught us through Paul.

“So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” (Romans 7:12 ESV)

If the law was so good, why did God need a new covenant? What was the trouble? Paul explains using himself as an example.

“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.” (Romans 7:14 NLT)

The law was perfect, but we are not. Where was the fault with the first covenant?

“For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people …” (Hebrews 8:7-8 NIV)

Yet, the law is so much better at loving our neighbor in practice than any legislation anywhere in today’s world. The basis was equal distribution and private ownership of the land, without the extremes of capitalist monopolies or communist communes. The sabbatical year and Jubilee were an economic reset every seven and fifty years to perpetuate equality of private ownership.

Sabbatical Year

Leviticus teaches us about the seventh year, the Sabbatical year.

“... during the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest… But you may eat whatever the land produces on its own during its Sabbath…” (Leviticus 25:1-7 NLT)

Would God provide enough food for that seventh year?

“I will command my blessing on you in the sixth year, so that it will produce a crop sufficient for three years.” (Leviticus 25:21 ESV)

In a crop rotation system such as the three field system of the Middle Ages, one field was laid fallow on a rotating basis. This gave no year of rest for the landowner, but created continual work. In the sabbatical year, there would be extra time for family, repair projects and most importantly, rededication to God’s word (Deuteronomy 31:10-11).

Jubilee Year

Leviticus 25 also teaches us about the Jubilee Year. Like the seventh year, it too was a year of release. Agricultural land leased out was released back to its owners. Slaves to debt were released from their liabilities. This is greater freedom than exists anywhere in today’s world.

“So you shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family.” (Leviticus 25:10 NASB)

This is a market correction from outside the market, stopping corporate land grabbers and monopolies from cheating future generations out of their land, and strengthening private ownership of small farms.

“You must not cheat each other but fear your God because I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 25:17 CEB)

This is a picture of our eternity, when all wrongs are made right and we are freed from the oppression of greed.

Wealthy western democracies believe in the theory of a free market, but in practice cannot have completely free markets for two reasons. 1) An unregulated market would be a Wild West experience with no protections, and 2) too many laws exist to protect the big players from true free-market competition from small businesses. Large corporations often lobby for laws which are in reality a protection racket for them and only hurt small businesses. The equal distribution of land among the tribes of Israel ensured a level playing field, true equality of opportunity.

In the Jubilee, if a family had become poor due to ill health, foolishness, war or calamity, the family farm was able to be restored.

“... It will be returned in the Jubilee, and they can then go back to their property.” (Leviticus 25:28 NIV)