Deuteronomy 15

“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how to cancel a debt: Every creditor is to cancel what he has lent his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor because the Lord’s release of debts has been proclaimed.” Deuteronomy 15:1-2 (HCSB)

“Be careful that there isn’t a wicked thought in your heart, ‘The seventh year, the year of canceling debts is near,’ and you are stingy towards the poor brother and give him nothing. He will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty.” Deuteronomy 15:9 (HCSB)

“For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘You must willingly open your hand to the afflicted and poor brother in your land.’” Deuteronomy 15:11 (HCSB)

“If your fellow Hebrew, a man or woman, is sold to you as a slave and serves you six years, you must set him free in the seventh year. When you set him free, do not send him away empty-handed.” Deuteronomy 15:12-13a (HCSB)

I would like to invite you to reflect on today’s chapter through the lens of Jesus’ message to His home synagogue in Nazareth. He quoted the prophet Isaiah, who was prophesying what Messiah would proclaim when He came. It all refers to Deuteronomy 15.

“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him, and unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’” Luke 4:17-19 (HCSB)

What is the good news that Jesus was proclaiming? In essence, He was asking, “Are you enslaved to this World? Are you afflicted, made lame by your sin? Are you poor in spirit, indebted to the Lord, and unable to pay it off your sin debt because of your lack of righteousness? If so, I have come to set you free!”

If you perceive He is describing YOU, then rejoice! He has proclaimed YOUR year of Jubilee, as well! It is imperative that we accept His offer of freedom now, during this season in which it is offered. Our “Yeshua” (Jesus’ Name in Hebrew, meaning: God’s Salvation) has come!! Receive His grace, His eternal atonement, while the season of canceling debts is here, before the time of reckoning, the great “Yom Kippur” (Day of Atonement), where sin is called to account, and those without atonement are cast out.