May 2, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Deuteronomy? Here’s today’s reading:
Deuteronomy 15 (NIV)
The Year for Canceling Debts
1At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. 2This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed........Continue Reading
Always give generously to those who are less fortunate.
God desires us to be a generous people that cares for the poor and in need. Our society today is not inclined for generosity and we have become a people that worries only about ourselves.
This chapter was a nice reminder that what we have we have because of God and we should feel priveledged to give back to help His people.
Deuteronomy 15
Deut. 15
What faith is involved in this whole chapter. How hard it would be to cancel debts, and be generous to the poor, and not hold back in the 6th year because the seventh year was coming and provide for your servant as you were freeing them. And it would be the same class put in position to do all these things. But when you recognize God is commanding and with the command gives a promise that He will provide beyond what they might otherwise lose by obeying, there is reason for confidence and acting in obedience. But it would require faith, the same faith we are called to have in God’s promises.
And there is a neat picture here of a servant choosing to commit to their master and become their possession presumably because of the kindness and provision of the master and the need of the servants life. What does that sound like? Can anyone say us and Jesus?
How we care for others, particularly the poor and those in need, is another trait that characterizes those who are called God’s children. Also, we do not take advantage of our brothers and sisters in Christ. I think of John 13:35 where Jesus says “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Deuteronomy 15 – a good reminder how we should take care of those in need, be mindful of others.
It is interesting, when we were studying the battle of Jericho, I researched the use of the # 7 in the scriptures. It is always God’s program on behalf of man. Here it is again, “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. 2 And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord’s release.” God’s program (the Lord’s release) on behalf of man.
10Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Freeing Servants
12If any of your people—Hebrew men or women—sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free. 13And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed. 14Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the Lord your God has blessed you. 15Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.