At times following the return of the exiles from Babylon, the wealthy Jews had gone directly contrary to these commands. When the poor were obliged to borrow to pay tribute to the king, the wealthy had lent them money, but 648 had exacted a high rate of interest. By taking mortgages on the lands of the poor, they had gradually reduced the unfortunate debtors to the deepest poverty. Many had been forced to sell their sons and daughters into servitude; and there seemed no hope of improving their condition, no way to redeem either their children or their lands, no prospect before them but ever-increasing distress, with perpetual want and bondage. Yet they were of the same nation, children of the same covenant, as their more favored brethren.

Efter hjemkomsten fra Babylon havde de velhavende jøder til tider handlet i direkte strid med denne befaling. Når de fattige var nødt til at låne penge for at kunne svare kongen skat, lånte de rige dem pengene til høje renter. Ved at pantsætte deres jord var de ulykkelige skyldnere efterhånden sunket ned i den dybeste armod. Mange var blevet tvunget til at sælge deres sønner og døtre som slaver, og der syntes ikke at være håb om, at forholdene ville forbedres, og at de kunne få deres børn og deres jord tilbage. Det så snarere ud til, at elendigheden ville blive større, og at de måtte leve i nød og trældom resten af livet. Og dog tilhørte de den samme nation og levede under den samme pagt som deres mere velstillede brødre.