What Is the Law of Release and What Can We Learn from It?

Introduction

There is immense wisdom within the ancient Jewish Torah, and to this day, its teachings lay the foundation for much of our Western legal system. I strongly believe that this connection has been a key reason why Western civilization has flourished. We have done well in implementing some of the basics, like certain parts of the Ten Commandments, but there are also less popular laws that seem to challenge our natural propensity for greed—laws that go beyond just keeping societal order. One such instruction is the law of release, also known as the Sabbath year. This law stands as a test of generosity, faith, and reliance on God. It’s not commonly followed in today’s world, which raises today’s question: What is the law of release and what can we learn from it?

TL;DR Summary

Who does the law of release concern?

The law of release involves landowners, debtors, and the entire community of Israel. It directly impacts the relationship between those who are owed debts and those who owe, providing relief and restoration every seven years.

What is the law of release?

The law of release, or the Sabbath year, is a commandment from God for the Israelites to forgive all debts and allow the land to rest every seventh year. It is a time of renewal for both people and the land, designed to foster trust in God’s provision and promote justice.

Where was the law of release practiced?

The law was meant to be practiced throughout the land of Israel, ensuring the well-being of the entire community by preventing perpetual debt and hardship for the poorer members of society.

When was the law of release observed?

Every seventh year was designated as the Sabbath year, when the Israelites were to cease from agricultural work and release all debts, trusting God to provide for their needs during this time of rest.

Why was the law of release important?

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The law of release reminded the Israelites that everything they had—land, wealth, and provisions—came from God. It was a safeguard against exploitation and a demonstration of God’s care for the poor and vulnerable.

How did the law of release unfold?

The practice of the Sabbath year included not sowing or harvesting crops, releasing servants, and forgiving debts. It served as a reset, giving people and the land a chance to recover, reinforcing reliance on God for provision.

Narrative Context

The law of release is rooted in the Torah, specifically in Deuteronomy 15 and Leviticus 25, where God instructs Israel to observe the Sabbath year every seventh year. This year was not only a time to let the land rest from agriculture but also to release debts and set servants free. In a culture where debt could quickly become overwhelming, this law was designed to prevent the permanent impoverishment of the poor, offering them a chance to start anew.

This command had both spiritual and practical implications. Spiritually, it reminded Israel that God was their ultimate provider and that they were stewards of the land and wealth, not permanent owners. Practically, it prevented economic inequality from becoming entrenched in society, as every seventh year acted as a reset, ensuring no one would remain in perpetual debt or servitude.

The law of release is linked to the broader theme of Sabbath in the Bible—a recurring call to rest, trust in God’s provision, and focus on justice and mercy within the community. Just as God rested on the seventh day after creation, Israel was to practice this cycle of rest and release every seventh year.

Scriptural Foundations

Several scriptures lay the foundation for understanding the law of release and its significance:

• Deuteronomy 15:1-2 (WEB):

“At the end of every seven years you shall cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.”

This passage commands the release of debts every seventh year, reflecting God’s desire for mercy and justice in economic dealings.

• Leviticus 25:3-4 (WEB):

“For six years you shall sow your field, and for six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather its crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.”

Here, God commands a year of rest for the land, which parallels the release of debts. The Sabbath year is a time to trust God’s provision and care for the earth.

• Leviticus 25:39-41 (WEB):

“If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave. As a hired worker and a temporary resident, he shall be with you. He shall serve with you until the year of jubilee. Then he shall go out from you, he and his children with him, and return to his own clan and to the possession of his fathers.”

This passage emphasizes the importance of setting free those who have fallen into servitude, a key component of the law of release.

Perspectives from Others

Throughout history, scholars and theologians have understood the law of release as a radical expression of God’s justice and mercy. Some see it as a way of maintaining social and economic balance in ancient Israel, preventing the rich from becoming too powerful and ensuring the poor are not permanently oppressed. The Jubilee Year, which occurred every 50th year, extended this principle further by restoring land to its original owners, thus preventing generational poverty.

Others interpret the law of release as a symbolic foreshadowing of the ultimate freedom that comes through the Messiah. Just as debts were forgiven every seven years, the forgiveness of sins through the Messiah offers a spiritual reset, allowing people to live in the freedom that God intends for them.

Identifying Misunderstandings

One common misunderstanding is that the law of release was merely an ancient agricultural practice with little relevance today. While it certainly had practical implications in ancient Israel’s agrarian society, its principles of justice, mercy, and reliance on God are timeless. Another misconception is that the law was too idealistic to be practiced fully. While there are indications that Israel struggled to observe it, the law of release remains a profound expression of God’s heart for justice and care for the marginalized.

Relevance and Application for You

The principles behind the law of release are highly relevant for modern Christians. While we may not live in an agrarian society or observe the Sabbath year in the same way, the call to release debts, care for the poor, and trust in God’s provision is timeless. This law challenges us to examine our own attitudes toward wealth, generosity, and justice.

In a world driven by materialism and self-interest, the law of release calls us to practice radical generosity and to care for those in need. It encourages us to forgive debts—whether financial, emotional, or relational—and to reflect God’s mercy in our daily lives. By embracing the spirit of the Sabbath year, we align ourselves with God’s priorities of love, justice, and compassion.

Encouragement and Conclusion

The law of release is a powerful reminder that God’s way is radically different from the world’s way. In a society where accumulation of wealth and power often takes precedence, the Sabbath year teaches us that true blessing comes from generosity, mercy, and reliance on God. As you reflect on this ancient practice, may it inspire you to live a life of open-handedness, trusting in God’s provision and extending His love and grace to those around you.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the concept of debt forgiveness in the Sabbath year has inspired modern economic practices, such as the Jubilee 2000 movement, which advocated for the cancellation of international debts to relieve poverty in developing nations? This modern application of the biblical principle shows how relevant God’s laws of justice and mercy remain in addressing systemic inequalities today.