Many of the OT laws and regulations can seem very harsh to those of us living in 21st century, developed countries that have a foundation of Christian heritage. However, on the other hand, God clearly instructs his ancient people to be sensitive to the poor, the defenceless and those without "citizenship". God's concern for the poor and vulnerable comes through in many passages. One chapter that I read this morning, Deuteronomy 24 provides these specific instructions. Here are several partial quotes that encouraged Israelites to care for those in need:
Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. vs. 17
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this. vs. 19- 22
There was no government operated welfare system in ancient Israel. Yet if they obeyed God's words, every Israelite would remain sensitive to those for whom God expressed special concern.
We can be grateful for government welfare programs that provide a safety net for those who need it. We should pray and give toward those in nations that provide no social safety net at all. And may we followers of Christ have at least as much concern for those who cannot protect themselves as was impressed upon ancient Israel.
Do not take a pair of millstones—not even the upper one—as security for a debt, because that would be taking a person’s livelihood as security. vs. 6
If the neighbor is poor, do not go to sleep with their pledge in your possession. Return their cloak by sunset so that your neighbor may sleep in it. Then they will thank you, and it will be regarded as a righteous act in the sight of the Lord your God. vs. 12, 13
Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.vs. 14, 15
Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. vs. 17
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this. vs. 19- 22
There was no government operated welfare system in ancient Israel. Yet if they obeyed God's words, every Israelite would remain sensitive to those for whom God expressed special concern.
We can be grateful for government welfare programs that provide a safety net for those who need it. We should pray and give toward those in nations that provide no social safety net at all. And may we followers of Christ have at least as much concern for those who cannot protect themselves as was impressed upon ancient Israel.
No comments:
Post a Comment