Reviving Levitical Principles for Modern Land Stewardship and Economic Justice #218*

Redemption of the Land: A Modern Covenant (Reviving Levitical Principles for Modern Land Stewardship and Economic Justice) In the embrace of ancient scriptures, whispered through Leviticus's timeless wisdom, lies a vision profound, a stewardship divine—land, ever sacred, not ours to bind. This ground, on which we stand, we dwell, echoes a call, a covenant to spell: "The land must not be sold permanently, for it is Mine," declares the Sovereign unseen, reminding us, we're but travelers in between. Beneath the canopy of modern skies, where concrete forests and aspirations rise, the spirit of the land calls for redemption, a return to equity, a communal intention. Hearken to the cry of the earth, yearning for justice, for a rebirth. Let us weave the values of old into the fabric of our laws, bold—where every soul, rich or poor, finds solace, a home, a door. Imagine lands held in trust, not for the few, but for all, as is just. Community lands, thriving, alive, where dreams are nurtured, spirits revive. Tax the ground's value, not the labor of hands, encourage the stewardship of these lands. Let the wealth of the earth be a bounty shared, for every child of dust, every soul that's bared. Inheritances of stone and dust, taxed for the common good, as is just. Let not the accumulation of ages past, shadow the future, our lot cast. Envision a world where development's gain, is shared with all, easing pain. A home for each, each for their home, in communities where no one stands alone. This is the call of our age, a testament written not just on page, but in the actions we choose, the paths we pave. Let the redemption of land, Leviticus's sage advice, guide our journey, our collective sacrifice. To steward the earth, with care, with love, under the watchful gaze from above. So let us rise, together, anew, with vision and values to challenge, to pursue. In the redemption of land, let justice flow, as waters in the desert, making all things grow. -Written by Steven G. Lee (February 5, 2024)