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Leviticus 25 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
After 7 cycles of the sabbatical years came the 50th, or, Year of Jubilee. It was a release from debt and bondage. All slaves were released, all captives were set free, all debts were forgiven and all land was returned to the original owners. When the land was originally divided up into the 12 tribes, it was permanently designated to those particular families. Therefore, the land could never really be sold. It was leased based on the remaining years before the Year of Jubilee. This gave famlies a chance to start over and regain their property every 50 years.
From a social justice standpoint, the Year of Jubilee prevented the accumulation of wealth for a certain small percentage. It also encouraged unity by keeping the land attached to a family.
In the NT, it’s interesting to consider that Jesus is our Savior who releases the captives. In fact, Isaiah 61 states this precise Messianic prophecy.
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;
Isaiah 61:1 NASB
He brings liberty for all sinners and frees us from the wreckage of our past. This promise began at His first coming and will be completed at His second coming. We live right now in the promise awaiting the physical “new Heaven and new Earth” which is to come.