Deuteronomy15:1-11, Thoughts on Deut. 15-16

Deut. 15 deals with several “statutes and judgments” that many would consider to be bad business.  But with the people of YAHWEH these are good laws.

·       15:1-6: The LORD’s release.  The Sabbath Year was commanded in Lev. 25:1-7.  But in this chapter there are some financial matters to be dealt with in the 7^th year.  The first had to do with debts.  Money owed by a fellow Israelite was, after seven years, to be forgiven.  You might think this would promote irresponsibility.  But this does not even come up in the passage.  It’s a matter of proper treatment of one’s “brother.”  This removes bitterness over debts.  And the LORD Himself promised to bless Israel so that this would not hurt the forgiving lender.

·       15:7-11: Be generous to poor Israelites.  There would always be poor people in Israel (v7), something Jesus referred to in Matt. 26:11.  What great words: you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother (v7).  During the Year of Release, when the land was idle, and poverty could be a greater issue, there was to be no meanness to the poor.  Again, the LORD would bless Israel for this.

·       15:12-18: Dealing with Hebrew bondservants.  This concerned fellow Israelites who indentured themselves to someone else, so as to earn a living.  And again, during the seventh year they were to be released, with a generous “severance package.”  And again, the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do (v18).

·       15:19-23: Firstborn from herd or flock.  The Law of the Firstborn was established in Egypt (Ex. 13:11-16) and applied to man and animal.  This addendum told the people how to use the firstborn from the herd (cattle) or flock (sheep, goats).  They were to sacrifice it, and then eat it before the LORD.  It was an act of worship.

These statutes should be an encouragement to New Testament believers.  Finances were not to lead to idolatry (covetousness is idolatry, Eph. 5:5).  Rather, how one handled his possessions was to be integral to his relationship with God. 

·       16:1-17: Review of three major feasts.  There were three feasts to which all males were to come and they were not to come emptyhanded (16:16).  These feasts were described elsewhere in the Pentateuch; these are essentially reviews.

·       16:18-22: Establishment of justice.  Israel was to appoint judges who were men of integrity.  Justice in society was tied to Israel’s prosperity and longevity in the land.  In other words, it was part of God’s blessing.  The last two verses contain more statutes that would help keep Israel from idolatry.  “Sacred pillars” were used at different times earlier in Israel’s history.  For example, Jacob had set one up at Bethel (Gen. 28:22).  When he returned to Bethel, he built an altar (Gen. 35:1,7).  The sacred pillar was common in the religions of the nations, and that was likely one reason they were forbidden in Israel.