Radical Idea

While ruminating my way through the financial news of the morning paper, a random word popped into my head: Jubilee.

Suddenly, it struck me that large numbers of Americans consider this country a product of our Judeo-Christian heritage, so why not implement a Judeo-Christian concept in this time of crisis?

In Leviticus 25, God requires that every 50th years be a year of jubilee. It was to be a time of joy, when land was to be returned to its original owners (i.e. the land proportioned out to each family of the Israelites after the exodus), slaves and prisoners were to be freed (and in that time, most slaves or prisoners were in that position because of debt), when debts were to be forgiven, and the mercies of God would be particularly apparent.

Over the centuries, Jubilee hasn't particularly been a part of our religious practice, but what if we took this biblical concept and put it into practice in our current fiscal crisis? Just reset the financial clock to zero?

Of course, you'd have to modify it a bit so that people wouldn't be tossed out of their homes. But what if everyone had a clean slate to begin anew? I believe that was God's intent in establishing the jubilee year: Sins forgiven, debts forgiven, a return to the starting point of one's heritage.

Oh! It wouldn't be easy, and those who would lose funds from the repayment of debts would squawk. Their pockets wouldn't be as richly lined as they'd want them to be.

But let's consider something. Many of the people who are in over their heads have gotten there due to circumstances beyond their control (health issues and layoffs come to mind) or have been preyed upon by predatory lenders who change the rules of the game whenever it looks like someone might actually pay their way out from under their thumbs. Those financial institutions will likely end up without a dime, or at most a few shekels, from those who owe them money due to bankruptcies or plain and simple default. Why not just set the debt account back to zero and give everyone a restart?

Then there wouldn't be a need for multi-billion dollar bailouts. Those who have been financially oppressed might begin to see hope for the future and engage in possibilities that improve their lives and the lives of others. I think God was aware of how seriously draining ongoing financial difficulties are. I believe that's why God commanded and hoped that humanity would take the opportunity every 50 years to exhibit the incredible mercy which is in God's nature.

Sure, Jubilee didn't seem to make it beyond the words passed down through scripture over the centuries.

That makes it easier for us to start now. Who knows? According to God's time, this may actually be a year of jubilee.

Why not claim our Judeo-Christian heritage and give Jubilee a try?