1. Old Testament Ethics: Principles of Living for the People of God Ecology and the Land © 2010 David W. Opderbeck Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution / Share-Alike

2. The OT Ethical Triangle Source: Christopher J.H. Wright, “Old Testament Ethics for the People of God” God Israel The Land The Church koinonia OT NT Typological Paradigmatic Eschatological Humanity (fallen) Redeemed Humanity The New Creation The Earth (cursed)

3. ANE, Modern, and Biblical Views of the Universe Attribute / Relation ANEModernBiblical OriginA product of divine struggle OwnershipManaged chaos Essential NatureUnpredictable and dangerous PurposeCyclical struggle Contingent on God God; human vice- regency Good but fallen God’s glory, shalom No metaphysical origin (truly “random”) None or human Lawlike, deterministic or probabilistic Ateleological

4. ANE, Modern, and Biblical Views of Humanity Attribute / Relation ANEModernBiblical OriginDivine tears, blood or semen spilled in struggle OwnershipSlaves of the gods Essential NatureLittle intrinsic value PurposeServe the whims of the gods, cyclical No metaphysical origin (truly “random”) Self or truly deterministic Lawlike, deterministic or probabilistic Ateleological God’s creative act God, but with moral freedom Good, but fallen God’s glory, shalom

5. ANE, Modern, and Biblical Views of Human Relationship With Creation Attribute / Relation ANEModernBiblical Natural ResourcesBelong to the gods / the divinized King PurposeCyclical struggle No metaphysical distinction between humanity and non-human nature Humanity uniquely endowed with imago Dei and uniquely responsible for cultivation (“creation care”) God’s glory, shalom; eschatological Nature for its own sake?

6. The Jubilee Law Economic StageAction of Landowner Continuing Rights of Landowner Rights and Responsibilities of Kinsman Exceptions “So poor that he has to sell part of his property” (v. 25) Sell part of the propertyReversionary purchase interest (v.26-27) Absolute reversionary interest in Jubilee year Pre-empt sale through purchase; or Redeem from purchaser Not applicable to dwellings in walled cities, except for Levites (who were allotted towns rather than land shares) “becomes poor and his means with regard to you falter” (v. 35) Mortgage remaining property Repayment of debt interest-free Sustain as a dependent laborer and through interest-free loans (v. 35- 37) “becomes so poor with regard to you that he sells himself to you” Indentured ServitudeRelease from obligations in Jubilee year. (v. 40) “You shall not subject him to a slave’s service. He shall be with you as a hired man.” (v. 39) Applies only to Israelites, not to foreign slaves or resident aliens

7. Interpretations of the Jubilee Law TypologicalParadigmaticEschatological Luke 4:16-30: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” The jubilee and economic justice The jubilee and the family The jubilee and faith in God’s sovereignty, providence, provision and forgiveness Is. 35:10: “the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”