Because humans are created in the image of God any situation which does not affirm the radical equality of all humans before God results in idolatry. Idolatry demands sacrifice for some promised future success. Jubilee is generational, it is about restoration. Generations of children's health and education are being sacrificed on the altar of servicing debts and embracing unfettered market principles. The Jubilee legislation places the burden of responsibility on the creditor not only to release the poor from their debts but also to provide them with sufficient resources to make a fresh start.
Idolatry is a deep structure of certain economic, political, cultural, legal, ecological practices.
As the global economy teeters from one crisis to the next it is clear that those who are in a position to act have become totally enslaved by the idolatry of the market. There is no context, and very little imagination, freedom, responsibility, compassion or solidarity. The Jubilee vision stands in stark opposition to this vision by offering hope for a new beginning. It is a vision however, as the prophets remind us, that we must always be struggling to realize as we seek to recognize and resist the idols in our midst.