God’s Wisdom Found In Israel’s Usury Laws: Part 1
Even before the people of Israel entered the Promised Land, God gave them the system of laws He wanted their new nation to live by. If you read through the Mosaic Law in Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy you notice that most of the laws are about how to worship Yahweh properly, how to treat each other on a personal level, and how to make restitution to victims of crime. There isn’t much law governing their economy, but the idea in the Leviticus passage below shows up several times. Leviticus 25:35-37 35 Now in case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means with regard to you falter, then you are to sustain him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. 36 Do not take usurious interest from him, but revere your God, that your countryman may live with you. 37 You shall not give him your silver at interest, nor your food for gain. This law is about loaning money at interest. The word usury or usurious means simply, interest. God isn’t saying the i