Reading 26 | The Bible in 100 Passages

Thursday, October 9, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Leviticus 25:35–43

If any of your kin fall into difficulty and become dependent on you, you shall support them; they shall live with you as though resident aliens. Do not take interest in advance or otherwise make a profit from them, but fear your God; let them live with you. You shall not lend them your money at interest taken in advance, or provide them food at a profit. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, to be your God.

If any who are dependent on you become so impoverished that they sell themselves to you, you shall not make them serve as slaves. They shall remain with you as hired or bound laborers. They shall serve with you until the year of the jubilee. Then they and their children with them shall be free from your authority; they shall go back to their own family and return to their ancestral property. For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves are sold. You shall not rule over them with harshness, but shall fear your God. (NRSV)

Reflection

I want to feel good about how God tells us to treat our “brother,” but this reading falls short by limiting the care that would be given to foreign slaves who could be treated harshly, held permanently, and were not subject to the jubilee release. It only tells us how to care for “our own.” The best thing I can do is to look back at why this was done at that time in history, not to excuse the practice but to see what changes can be made in applying this reading to my life.

In our competitive world today, where the focus is often on getting ahead no matter who we are stepping on, I feel that this passage instructs me to provide help and support to all in need, reflecting the generosity of God in Leviticus. The change for me is that Jesus came for all of us and instructed me to care for “my neighbor.” Jesus is my jubilee, and because of him, I feel empowered to care for all. He has told me who we are, all children of God. May we treat others as such.

Prayer

Lord, help me to live my life in service, love, and in caring for all your children. Lead me and empower me so that I can reflect your compassion and mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Linda Gibboney, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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