Moses next gives instructions for how God's holy people are to live among their neighbors and it is without fault. Not just without fault in the sight of God, although sacrifices, tithes and observance of the holy feasts are required; but they are to live without fault in the sight of those around them...their neighbors and even their enemies. If they remember that God is their provider, there will be no lording it over anyone else. Moses tells them that they must cancel any debt owed by their brother, "However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you." - Deut. 15:4-6 NIV
Moses tells them they have a responsibility to the poor, "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." - Deut. 15:11 NIV, and to their servants. "...in the seventh year you must let him go free. And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed." - Deut 15:12-13 NIV
No one is exempt from this responsibility. The judges must judge fairly and not show partiality. The King must not accumulate wealth or consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law. They're entering a new land, they have a fresh slate upon which they can write their history
.
God's requirements for blessing will never change. The prophet Micah repeated this command to the Israelites centuries later as they faced God's judgement for not following His commands. "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? " - Micah 6:8 King James Version
No comments:
Post a Comment