Setting – Commandments were giving regarding handing of divorce and other sundry laws. Some of the laws pertain to taking care of others.
Content – Some of the many laws end up pertaining to taking care of others. When a loan is made, they weren’t to keep the poor person’s pledge overnight (which is their cloak) (v. 13), "When the sun goes down you shall surely return the pledge to him, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God." They weren’t to oppress a hired servant, nor pervert the justice of an alien or orphan. They were to remember that they too once were slaves in Egypt.
They were to also leave food behind from their harvest (v. 19), "When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow..." verse 20, "When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow." This is the same with grapes for verse 21 for grapes.
Application – We are to think of others. In our dealings with life, we need to think of those who don’t have as much. This was true of taking care of their countrymen and aliens. Israel would be seen as a gracious nation. I need to insure that my day-to-day life doesn’t just concern itself with my wellbeing. I need to think about what I have and see what can be giving away to others.
Content – Some of the many laws end up pertaining to taking care of others. When a loan is made, they weren’t to keep the poor person’s pledge overnight (which is their cloak) (v. 13), "When the sun goes down you shall surely return the pledge to him, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God." They weren’t to oppress a hired servant, nor pervert the justice of an alien or orphan. They were to remember that they too once were slaves in Egypt.
They were to also leave food behind from their harvest (v. 19), "When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow..." verse 20, "When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow." This is the same with grapes for verse 21 for grapes.
Application – We are to think of others. In our dealings with life, we need to think of those who don’t have as much. This was true of taking care of their countrymen and aliens. Israel would be seen as a gracious nation. I need to insure that my day-to-day life doesn’t just concern itself with my wellbeing. I need to think about what I have and see what can be giving away to others.
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