How does Leviticus 25:15 connect to Jesus' teachings on fairness and honesty? Leviticus 25:15 at a Glance “You are to buy from your neighbor based on the number of years since the Jubilee. He is to sell to you based on the number of years of harvests.” Key Principles in the Jubilee Command • Price is tied to actual harvests, not speculation—guarding against inflated or unfair pricing. • Both parties are protected: sellers receive value, buyers avoid overpayment. • Underlying reason: the land ultimately belongs to the LORD (Leviticus 25:23); Israel are stewards, so dealings must mirror God’s justice. Where Jesus Picks Up the Thread • Matthew 7:12 – “In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.” • Luke 6:38 – “…For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” • Matthew 5:37 – “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.” • Mark 10:19 – “…do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud…” • Luke 16:10 – “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much…” Shared Themes Between Moses and Messiah • Fair measurement: Leviticus pegs price to harvest years; Jesus warns that the measure we use will return to us (Luke 6:38). • Honesty in word and deed: the clear contract of Jubilee mirrors Jesus’ call for straightforward “Yes/No” speech (Matthew 5:37). • Protection of the vulnerable: Jubilee prevents lifelong poverty; Jesus’ Golden Rule obligates us to protect, not exploit. • Accountability before God: both passages ground ethics in God’s ownership and judgment. Practical Takeaways for Everyday Life • Set prices—or wages, fees, and contracts—by true value, not greed or pressure. • Communicate terms plainly; hidden fees and fine-print traps break Jesus’ “Yes/No” ethic. • Use one standard for self and others—whether measuring work hours, expectations, or generosity. • Remember stewardship: every resource is on loan from God, so fairness is worship. |
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