Deuteronomy24:10-22 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
In Deuteronomy we get to see different layers to God’s heart. Today’s passage, Deuteronomy 24:10-22, lets us in on another big layer to the heart of God. Let’s go!
Deuteronomy 24:10-22 (NIV)
10 When you make a loan of any kind to your neighbor, do not go into his house to get what he is offering as a pledge.
11 Stay outside and let the man to whom you are making the loan bring the pledge out to you.
12 If the man is poor, do not go to sleep with his pledge in your possession.
13 Return his cloak to him by sunset so that he may sleep in it. Then he will thank you, and it will be regarded as a righteous act in the sight of the LORD your God.
14 Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns.
15 Pay him his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and is counting on it. Otherwise he may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
16 Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.
17 Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.
18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.
21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.
22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.
On verses 10-22: Why does Moses say not to go into the house of someone you’re lending money to in order to get what they are offering as a pledge (v10)? Why instead wait outside and let the borrower bring the pledge out to you (v11)? It’s to protect the dignity and honour of the person you’re lending to, so as not to embarrass them unnecessarily in front of their family.
This is the first example of a running theme in Deuteronomy 24:10-22, which is: don’t be ruthless in your dealings with others, whether it’s people you’re lending money to (v10-11), poor people you meet (v12-13), employees you hire (v14-15), foreigners in your town (v17, 19), children without fathers (v17), or widows (v19).
The fact that this passage repeats the phrase “the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow” three times (v19-21) shows that God has a special heart for people who are far away from home or who have lost their closest family.
Since the Israelites were once slaves in Egypt and God bought their freedom (“redeemed them”) (v18, 22), and since we were once slaves to sin and God redeemed us through Jesus Christ, God calls us to be sensitive, generous and compassionate toward those who are less fortunate.
That’s because the heart of God is full of compassion. As Psalm 86:15 says, “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
Lord, I pray I would not be ruthless and uncaring toward those around me in need. Thank You for showing us Your compassionate heart for those less fortunate. May I have a heart more like Yours. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
