The Jubilee Principle
Freedom and GreatnessCome Through Giving
by Walter Glenn Moore
The Bible speaks of the observance of Jubilees in Leviticus 25. Does that apply to us today? There are those that take the position that since we are no longer living in the land of Israel, we are also not subject to the laws regarding Jubilees. However, while it is true that Jubilees primarily is concerned with people who own farmland, the principles still apply to us today. In fact, if the foundation principle of the Jubilees were kept today we would have a thriving economy, poverty would be eliminated, and the rich and powerful would no longer hold the average person hostage to economic terrorism!
Some will say that the observance of the Jubilees "doesn't affect our personal lives in this day and age," and they are only partly correct. However, the lack of observing the Jubilees does affect us today -- for most of the world (including those living in the United States) are in economic slavery because of the fact that the Jubilees are not being observed. The commandment regarding the keeping of the Jubilees mentions two times that we are not to oppress one another—which clearly indicates that not observing Jubilees will indeed lead to that very thing!
It is amazing to me that I hear so many arguments against the keeping of the Jubilees, and yet it is this one observance alone which has the power to completely restore our economy to a thriving, healthy, economy—where everyone benefits and is blessed (whether rich or poor). Yes, there is the issue of just when exactly the Jubilee years are—but let’s put aside that issue for now and consider the words of Yahushua our Messiah.
Give and You Will Receive
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:38)
That is the Jubilee principle in a nutshell—give and we will receive. Abolish all debts on every year of Jubilee, and look at the blessings which will be returned to us. We live in an evil world, where rich and powerful men seek to gain even more riches and power—through manipulation of the means of wealth. First, they create an industrial war based economy, where the people are enticed to leave the family farm in search of great wealth in the cities. Second, they manipulate the financial markets to steer the wealth into their own coffers, while forcing the now landless serfs to work even greater hours to keep up with the new standard of living. And finally, when the people are exhausted and without warning they bring upon them a crisis which forces them to surrender not only the remainder of their wealth, but also their very freedom to the ruling elite. By that time, such a nation is no longer a free nation, but instead a fascist nation. And let’s be honest with ourselves—we are not at step 1 or 2, but step 3, as most of the nations of this earth have already embraced the principles of fascism.
Friends, what I am about to say is probably going to offend you, but I will say it anyway: At this moment I estimate that about 97% of the people in this world are in some form of slavery, whether it be through the prison system, the welfare system, or the corrupt financial system, most of us are in slavery. Yes, that means you!! Admitting that it is true is half the hurdle. Once you are able to admit it, then the solution is before you—the Jubilee Principle.
The Founding Fathers Knew . . . SOMETHING . . .
The founding fathers of this great nation (the United States) were not perfect, and they did many great wrongs (such as genocide to the Indians). But they had seen the result of centuries of despotic rule throughout Europe and now wanted nothing to do with it. They knew that they needed a separation of powers in a Republican (not Democratic) form of government in order to hold government in check. And they knew that freedom was far more important than greatness or wealth, and so they fulfilled (at least in part) the Jubilee Principle, and it is because of this that we became a great nation.
Liberty and Freedom is at the heart of the foundation principles of the United States Constitution, as well as the Jubilee Principle. The Liberty Bell was even inscribed with the very words of Leviticus 25:10—"Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all its inhabitants thereof." Sadly, that bell began to crack in 1835, and was severely cracked by 1846. By 1852 it was put out of general service. Is it possible that the bell cracked because it proclaimed liberty to all its inhabitants, while the nation it represented failed to live up to those principles?
The world, it would seem, has become much smaller and through technology man is now capable of forcing his corrupt and evil rule upon the vast majority of the worlds population. So now, unlike our forefathers, we have nowhere to go. In escaping from the tyranny often found in Europe, they were able to find at least some semblance of freedom in the wide open spaces of this new frontier. However, those days are gone. In our technological based world "Big Brother" is indeed watching us -- for the simple reason that they have the technology to do it. And since the human condition has not changed, evil men will always use the technology available to them to spy on, steal from, force into slavery, and even to kill their neighbor. Many of these have also fooled themselves into thinking "the ends justify the means," however, this is simply not true. Messiah says to follow the "golden rule" and men pervert this into the cliché that "he who owns the gold makes the rules."
What If? . . .
What would happen if we even implemented some of the principles of the Jubilee? What would happen if we were to cancel all debts, both foreign and domestic, corporate and personal, in the year of Jubilee? What if the land were returned to its original owners? Would it destroy our economy? Would the corporations flounder and fail? Well, the rich would not be quite as rich as they were before -- but they would still do quite well. The poor would be given a chance to start over, and if they availed themselves of the opportunity, they may even prosper -- but this would not guarantee them riches. It is simply a chance for everyone to start over -- not a guarantee of riches. And it puts a limit on the oppression that evil men in positions of power tend to bring upon the masses. It would give each of us a chance to start over with a "clean slate." And this is precisely the reason Yahweh gave the Jubilee and Sabbatical system to His people, because he knew that this was be the best way to guarantee true freedom.
Those who exact their rule over others, forcing them into economic and political slavery, do so to their own harm. As it is done to others, it will be done to us. By giving we receive in even greater abundance -- whether it is good or evil. Just remember, there is a payday someday -- and based upon the Jubilee Code that day is fast approaching.
Freedom and liberty is the true focal point of the Jubilee message, as well as the message of the whole of Scripture. Moses declared this when the children of Israel embarked on that great exodus from Egypt, and the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 11:11) says that an even far greater exodus is coming soon—for those who embrase the true spirit and principles of the Jubilees.
Recommend reading:
JUBILEE—The Power of Liberty, by Madis Senner



