LEVITICUS 25:29-31 ~ Short Sales in the Cities!

Welcome, fellow sojourners of the narrow way.  We have recently been camping at Leviticus 25.  The law of this chapter concerns the lands and estates of the Israelites in Canaan.  We last visited: Leviticus 25:25-28, where the LORD made merciful provisions for a person who became too poor to redeem his land.  You may review our last get together by clicking here: Redeem the Country!

Make yourself comfortable.  We have wonderful fresh manna this morning to share.  His Living Word is always delicious to our lips and nutritious to our souls.  How sweet are your words to my taste! yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! ~ Psalms 119:103

LEVITICUS 25:29-31 ~ And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year may he redeem it. And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be established for ever to him that bought it throughout his generations: it shall not go out in the Jubilee. But the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the Jubilee.

Property within a walled city could be redeemed only during the first year.

:29 ~ And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year may he redeem it.

OK, so if I sell my house in the city and decide that I want it back. Then, from that day on, within the first year, either I or a close relative of mine can buy it back.  The very next day after the year was up, I would lose my rights to the property forever.  The buyer would be able to keep the property as his own, permanently.  Jewish law even made provisos, in case the buyer hid on the last day of the year to avoid getting his place redeemed.  Tricky little humans ...

City dwellers had only one year to redeem property inside the city walls.  Evidently, city property had to be settled much quicker.  Hmmm, let's look into why …

Jon Courson says, in his Application Commentary on the Old Testament: “The rabbis teach that, in this, God is encouraging people not to live in the cities.  Whether or not such be the case, the fact remains that with a higher density of people comes greater opportunity to sin. (Good point, Jon)  A higher density of believers in any given area can result in a greater degree of lethargy. (wow) That is why, as salt and light, we are most effective when we are spread out.”

Bible expositor, John Gill,  however, has a little different view.  He states that "this law was made to encourage persons to settle in walled towns, to make and keep them populous, and to make owners of them careful not to sell them...

Matthew Henry, in his Commentary on the Whole Bible, seems to agree to some degree: "This provision was made to encourage strangers and proselytes to come and settle among them. Though they could not purchase land in Canaan to them and their heirs, yet they might purchase houses in walled cities, which would be most convenient for those who were supposed to live by trade."

NOTE: Biblos is a wonderful resource for Bible study ... compare commentaries here.

In whichever case, today's cities are dense and crowded.  They often have higher crime rates and immorality is accepted, even encouraged, in many of them.  Around every corner, are temptations, traps and lures, and food to feed the lust of the eyes, the pride of life and the flesh.  It makes good sense that God would encourage shorter stays in the cities.  Everything is  concentrated into a very small area … there are dark alleys and crowds of people, large corporations and even, yes ... huge churches in which to hide.

I have always felt that way about cities … but until now, I never realized that the LORD might actually have discouraged city living for His children, unless they were to live by trade.
Awesome!!!

:30 ~ And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be established for ever to him that bought it throughout his generations: it shall not go out in the Jubilee.

So, if the seller was to change his mind about the sale, he had to act quickly. If he, or his near kin, did not redeem it by the last day of the year following the sale; then the dwelling became the real and permanent property of the buyer and his descendants.  It would not be returned in the Year of Jubilee.  This is the first exception to automatic redemption at Jubilee that is mentioned.  The dwelling would not be returned after the 365th day.

I imagine that profit could also be made from the houses in the city.  It would be difficult for someone to buy a city dwelling, perhaps establish a business there … and then have the building repossessed by the original owner.  And obviously God intended some to stay in the cities … for He provided opportunities to gain permanent title to the houses.

Note: fruit was planted, grown and harvested only in the fields.  Probably much more treasure to be found here!

Calvin's commentary is here: Aha!  Calvin believed, as I had noted, that houses yield no fruit.  It was "more tolerable" to live without a house in the city than without fruit from the field.  He also discusses the provision for business in the city.

John Gill in his Exposition of the Bible says: "for houses were not like lands, the gift of God, and held under Him, but were built by men, and were their absolute property, and therefore they could dispose of them."


Matthew Henry, in his Commentary, agrees: "A difference was made between houses in walled cities, and lands in the country, or houses in country villages.  Houses in walled cities were more the fruits of their own industry than land in the country, which was the immediate gift of God’s bounty..."

He also stated:  "This provision was made to encourage strangers and proselytes to come and settle among them. Though they could not purchase land in Canaan to them and their heirs, yet they might purchase houses in walled cities, which would be most convenient for those who were supposed to live by trade. But country houses could be disposed of no otherwise than as lands might."

:31 ~ But the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the Jubilee.

The houses in the “suburbs” were treated like the fields in the country. Ahh yes, the reason everyone still flocks to the suburbs … a better quality of life!  Open spaces, clear skies, fresh air, peace, quiet, beautiful views, slower pace, less traffic, less distractions, safe environment.  And most importantly, the LORD had blessed the land in the country, and commanded it to yield the crops and fruits vital for health and life!

Something to consider: What about “gated” communities of our day?  These communities are usually designed to be more secure with less of usual city drawbacks.  But, would God still have considered them as “walled villages”???

Something to consider:  The city dwellings were, a more secure investment for business men, were they not?  Houses and property outside of the city were redeemable for 49 years after you bought it.  So you could never really be settled on a permanent basis, unless you were the original owner.  In the city, there was a chance to receive permanent title by default.

The LORD provided land for every one of the Israelites.  Your rightful inheritance would be the land that could not ever be taken permanently from you.  Even if you couldn’t afford to keep it up, you could lease it out and get it back every for free, every 50 years!  Of course, then, what do you do, when your property is leased out?  Go live in the city and pay rent?  Or perhaps take a road trip, by camel, to other village or cities?  *smile* … many possibilities, I guess.

Matthew Henry states: "This provision was made to encourage strangers and proselytes to come and settle among them. Though they could not purchase land in Canaan to them and their heirs, yet they might purchase houses in walled cities, which would be most convenient for those who were supposed to live by trade. But country houses could be disposed of no otherwise than as lands might."

One thing is sure ... the LORD, as always, made perfect provision for every person and every little detail of their lives.  For the city folk and the country folk alike ... for trade and for agriculture.  What love our Creator has for his creation!  What perfect plans He has for us!

This lesson also reminds us that our only truly permanent residence is in heaven, which is our Rightful Inheritance.

It turned out to be an exciting adventure gathering the manna today.  I had to consult both contemporary and historical sources to gain a better understanding of these three little Scriptures.  But, what a rich and delectable meal came forth!  There are still many "side dishes" that could be explored.  Plus, along the way ... I also discovered more uses for the fantastic Biblical Research Library ~ Biblos!

Don't we so often find extra treasures "along the way?"  What a beautiful day today!  This is the day that the LORD has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it! ~ Psalm 118:24

Until we meet again, Zàijiàn -  再见

I am blessed every day

with some new revelation of God's Word.

I will be sharing my measure of manna

with all who come to my "tent."

Please, let me know if you have been blessed

by the way it was prepared for you this day.

 ~Shalom~