What did Moses mean when he said that liberty was to be proclaimed throughout the land? Was this a political statement?



While some of you reading this are in Asia, Africa, or the Middle East, please allow me to share some thoughts relating to the anniversary of America's independence and personal independence.         
 
Since the latter third of the 18th century, the Liberty Bell, in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, has been a symbol of freedom. On the bell is an inscription from the Old Testament book of Leviticus that reads, "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof" (Leviticus 25:10). Visitors to this historic site notice that the old bell is cracked, said to have been rendered unringable by too vigorous a tolling on Washington's Birthday in 1846.
 
Perhaps, the crack in that old bell is a good reminder that freedom is not perfect and liberty for all is not guaranteed anywhere in the world. The reality is that all governments are flawed because imperfect individuals create them. Katherine Lee Bates had that in mind, when sitting atop the 14,110-foot pinnacle of Pike's Peak, and looking across the fruitful Colorado plains towards the Kansas border, wrote "America! America! God mend thine every flaw."
 
Few today anywhere in the world are blind to those flaws. There are injustices, inequities in life, and wrongs that are garbed in expedience and made to appear as being righteous. Yet there is a flip side.
 
What did Moses mean when he said that liberty was to be proclaimed throughout the land? Was this a political statement suggesting that every nation be a democracy? Not at all. In its context, the statement was personal. People were to celebrate the 50th year when all debts were to be cancelled and people were to celebrate the goodness of the Almighty.
 
So what does this teach us? Simply put: that freedom under God is a personal matter regardless of the nature of the government under which you live. Jesus said, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). God wants you set free of the bondage of your old, sinful nature.
 
Independence from the bondage of sin and wrongdoing is possibly only as we are dependent upon God, realize our flawed sinful natures, and seek to find forgiveness and healing by the Great Physician. May that freedom be your portion! That's the message of Guidelines and my prayer for you!

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