The Year of Release

Deuteronomy 15:1–11 is the movement “The Year of Release.” Read it inside Moses’ final covenant instruction to Israel on the eastern side of the Jordan as the people prepare for life in the land. The section opens with: “At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.” It closes with: “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”

Scripture also places this passage inside a wider canonical network. Jesus’ statement directly recalls Deuteronomy 15:11. Jesus echoes Deuteronomy while speaking about care for the poor and his approaching death. Jesus’ 'the poor ye have always with you' directly recalls Deuteronomy’s reason for openhanded care.