Deuteronomy 15
OGCSUMMARY OF CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The Sabbatical year of release, 1. The manner in which this release shall take place, 2-5. Of lending to the poor, and the disposition in which it should be done, 6-11. Of the Hebrew servant who has served six years, and who shall be dismissed well furnished, 12-15. The ceremony of boring the ear, when the servant wishes to continue with his master, 16-18. Of the firstlings of the flock and herd, 19, 20. Nothing shall be offered that has any blemish, 21. The sacrifice to be eaten both by the clean and unclean, except the blood, which is never to be eaten, but poured out upon the ground, 22, 23.
QUESTIONS, LESSON TWELVE (Deuteronomy 14:22 to Deuteronomy 15:23)
How many tithes did the faithful Israelite give to the Lord?
How did the three-year tithe differ from the tithe of all the increase of thy seed. ?
What if the central sanctuary was a long way from home? What provision was made?
What principles should a faithful Israelite have learned from these various laws about giving?
How often was the year of release from debt?
In relation to loaning, what base thought might the prosperous man have, and when would he be most likely to have it?
Who or what will never cease out of the land? How did Jesus apply this principle?
What does the expression, for to the double of the hire of a hireling hath he served thee (Deuteronomy 15:18) mean?
For what could an Israelite use the firstlings of the flock?
Deuteronomy 15:1-6
(2) THE YEAR OF RELEASE (Deuteronomy 15:1-6)
At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. 2 And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother; because Jehovah’s release hath been proclaimed, 3 Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it: but whatsoever of thine is with thy brother thy hand shall release. 4 Howbeit there shall be no poor with thee; (for Jehovah will surely bless thee in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it;) 5 if only thou diligently hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all this commandment which I command thee this day. 6 For Jehovah thy God will bless thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over thee.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 15:1-6
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of releasing all creditors every seven years.
Is there a distinction in legal and moral obligations? Discuss.
Are we promised freedom from poverty if we are obedient to Jehovah?
How account for the treatment of foreigners and other nations as in Deuteronomy 15:3; Deuteronomy 15:6?
Are there present-day laws like those of Deu 15:1-6? At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release.
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 15:1-6
2 And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother; for the Lord’s release is proclaimed. 3 Of a foreigner you may exact it; but whatever of yours is with your brother [Israelite] your hand shall release. 4 But there will be no poor among you, for the Lord will surely bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you for an inheritance to possess, 5 If only you carefully listen to the voice of the Lord your God, to do watchfully all these commandments which I command you this day. 6 When the Lord your God blesses you as He promised you, then you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.
COMMENT 15:1-6
It is interesting that a number of our states have very similar laws as this one. A man cannot be held indefinitely for a debt, and in most states if the overdue money is not collected by the creditor within a specified number of years, the borrower is no longer legally held responsible for the debt.
The year of release apparently corresponds with the sabbatical year in which the land was to rest and lie fallow (Exodus 23:10-11; Leviticus 25:1-7; Leviticus 25:18-22.) In that year there was to be a general remission of debts. It was a wholesale year of recovery in every quarter. As every seventh day was to be a sabbath day, every seventh year was to be a sabbath year.
Did this permanently release the debtor of his responsibility? On this, the critics are divided. This does not imply that the debt was to be remitted, but only that the debtor was not then to be pressed for payment. A law that every seventh year debts should be remitted, would have frustrated itself, for on such conditions no one would lend, and so there would be no debtors (Pulpit). Similarly, A. Gosman states, The clear reference to the land-rest or release, which was for the year, and the force of the Hebrew word [nagas]rendered exact, more correctly urge or press, and the whole spirit of the Mosaic law, which was not to destroy obligations of this kind, but guard the poor and unfortunate against undue severity or oppression, are all in favor of the interpretation which regards the release as for the year.
Whether the release was permanent or temporary, the godly Israelite should not have been hesitant to loan no matter what year it was. It might have been a temptation to withhold a loan from the needy in the 5th or 6th year when there was little hope of having it repaid, but was it therefore right for one to refuse help to his brother? Jesus-’ teaching goes far beyond this, instructing us to give to those in need out of loverepaid or not, Matthew 5:42, Luke 6:34-35. Of course, this does not cancel any Christian’s moral and spiritual obligation to repay anything he borrows. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth (Psalms 37:21). Surely a Christian’s sense of responsibility in this area goes beyond mere civil code.
On the question as to whether this release is permanent or not, see further remarks with Deuteronomy 15:7-11, below.
THERE SHALL BE NO POOR WITH THEE (Deuteronomy 15:4)That is comparatively. If they were obedient, and followed God’s directions and commandments, And if the very directions given here and elsewhere concerning helping the poor were followed, no one would go cold or hungry.
FOR JEHOVAH THY GOD WILL BLESS THEE (Deuteronomy 15:6)The blessings of this verse, as elsewhere in Deuteronomy, were promised and assured an obedient Israel.
Deuteronomy 15:1-23
LESSON TWELVE Deuteronomy 14:22 to Deuteronomy 15:23
c. DIFFERENCES IN ECONOMIC PRACTICES (Deuteronomy 14:22 to Deuteronomy 15:23)
22 Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which cometh forth from the field year by year, 23 And thou shalt eat before Jehovah thy God, in the place which he shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, the tithe of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herd and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear Jehovah thy God always. 24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it, because the place is too far from thee, which Jehovah thy God shalt choose, to set his name there, when Jehovah thy God shall bless thee; 25 then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thy hand, and shalt go unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose: 26 and thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul asketh of thee; and thou shalt eat there before Jehovah thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thy household. 27 And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee. 28 At the end of every three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase in the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: 29 and the Levite, because he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that Jehovah thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hand which thou doest.
Deuteronomy 15:7-11
(3) THE POOR (Deuteronomy 15:7-11)
7 If there be with thee a poor man, one of thy brethren, within any of thy gates in thy land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand from thy poor brother. 8 but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth. 9 Beware that there be not a base thought in thy heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou give him nought; and he cry unto Jehovah against thee, and it be sin unto thee. 10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thy heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him; because that for this thing Jehovah thy God will bless thee in all thy work, and in all that thou puttest thy hand unto. 11 For the poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy brother, to thy needy, and to thy poor, in thy land.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 15:7-11
How can we reconcile the thought of Deu 15:4 with that of Deu 15:7? Cf. Deuteronomy 15:11.
Are we not to inquire as to the worthiness of the poor brother? Suppose he can not pay back the debt?
With what attitude should we give to the poor? Why is the attitude so important?
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 15:7-11
7 If there is among you a poor man, one of your kinsmen in any of the towns of your land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not harden your [mind and] heart, or close your hand to your poor brother; 8 But you shall open your hand wide to him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, which he lacks. 9 Beware lest there be a base thought in your [mind and] heart, and you say, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and your eye be evil against your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and it be sin in you. 10 You shall give to him freely without begrudging it; because for this the Lord will bless you in all your work and in all you undertake. 11 For the poor will never cease out of the land; therefore I command you, You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor in your land.
COMMENT 15:7-11
These verses (in spite of the comments above) cannot help but cause us to favor the interpretation of Deu 15:1-3 as indicating a total relinquishing of all debts at the end of the seventh yearat least such debts as contracted by a poor man, especially if the year of release was only a year or two off. But it appears these verses were designed to guard against just such a base thought (Deuteronomy 15:9). A magnanimous spirit and feelings of compassion, mercy, and generosity would take precedence over selfish or personal motives.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbor Go, and come again, And tomorrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee.
See also Proverbs 11:24-26.
FOR THIS THING JEHOVAH THY GOD WILL BLESS THEE (Deuteronomy 15:10)God loves a cheerful giver, and will invariably grant blessings to him. The liberal soul shall be made fat, and the man that waters shall be watered himself. See Luke 6:38, Acts 20:35.
THE POOR WILL NEVER CEASE OUT OF THE LAND (Deuteronomy 15:11)A principle Jesus cited (Mark 14:7, Matthew 26:11, John 12:8) as shown that he must be honored, worshipped, and glorified while time allows, for the poor are ever-present. Jesus did not teach that the poor were to be neglected. See Matthew 19:21; Matthew 25:31-46. But he would not have us sidetracked from his worship for humanitarian reasons. Christ will not take second placeeven to the poor!
Deuteronomy 15:12-18
(4) SLAVERY (Deuteronomy 15:12-18)
12 If thy brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. 13 And when thou lettest him go free from thee, thou shalt not let him go empty: 14 thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy threshing-floor, and out of thy wine-press; as Jehovah thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. 15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and Jehovah thy God redeemed thee; therefore I command thee this thing today. 16 And itshall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go out from thee; because he loveth thee and thy house, because he is well with thee; 17 then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maid-servant thou shalt do likewise. 18 It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou lettest him go free from thee; for to the double of the hire of a hireling hath he served thee six years: and Jehovah thy God will bless thee in all that thou doest.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 15:12-18
Does this text sanction some form of slavery? Cf. Exodus 21:2-6; Leviticus 25:39-46.
Why be careful to provide the livelihood of the former slave? Cf. Deuteronomy 15:18.
Wasn-’t it unreasonable to expect anyone to become a lifetime slave? Discuss.
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 15:12-18
12 And if your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, be sold to you and serve you six years, then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. 13 And when you send him out free from you, you shall not let him go away empty-handed; 14You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress; of what the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.
15 And you shall [earnestly] remember that you were a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I give you this command today. 16 But if the servant says to you, I will not go away from you, because he loves you and your household, since he does well with you. 17 Then take an awl and pierce his ear through to the door, and he shall be your servant always. And also to your bondwoman you shall do likewise. 18 It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you; for at half the cost of a hired servant he has served you six years, and the Lord your God will bless you in all you do.
COMMENT 15:12-18
Is this the same seventh year as referred to abovethe sabbath year? Probably not. It seems to refer to any six years during which the individual has been in bondage. As Deuteronomy 15:13-14 specify, this servant was not to be left to the elements, but the spirit of love was to prompt a generous furnishing of his needs, so he could set up house for himself. If, however, he desired to stay, he could, and would be branded as specified in Deuteronomy 15:16-17. Compare Exodus 21:2-6; also Leviticus 25:39-46.
IT SHALL NOT SEEM HARD FOR THEE (Deuteronomy 15:18)An appreciative and grateful spirit, as well as a generous one, should have kept the master from disobeying this law (Cf. Deuteronomy 15:9).
FOR TO THE DOUBLE OF THE HIRE OF A HIRELING HATH HE SERVED THEE (Deuteronomy 15:18)At half the cost of a hired servant (R.S.V., Amplified).. for at half the cost of a hired workman he has served you six years (Berkeley, and similarly rendered by several others). The master had used this man’s services at a bargain pricenow let him show his appreciation and gratitude toward him.
Deuteronomy 15:19-23
(5) THE OFFERING OF THE FIRSTLINGS (Deuteronomy 15:19-23)
19 All the firstling males that are born of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto Jehovah thy God: thou shalt do not work with the firstling of thy herd, nor shear the firstling of thy flock. 20 Thou shalt eat it before Jehovah thy God year by year in the place which Jehovah shall choose, thou and thy household. 21 And if it have any blemish, as if it be lame or blind, any ill blemish whatsoever, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto Jehovah thy God. 22 Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean shall eat it alike, as the gazelle, and as the hart. 23 Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it out upon the ground as water.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 15:19-23
What significance was there in setting aside the first-born as belonging to Jehovah?
Some first-born were not to be sacrificed unto the Lordwhy? What was to be done with them?
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 15:19-23
19 All the firstling males that are born of your herd and flock you shall set apart for the Lord your God; you shall do no work with the firstling of your herd, nor shear the firstling of your flock. 20 You shall eat it before the Lord your God annually in the place [for worship] which the Lord shall choose, you and your household. 21 But if it has any blemish, if it is lame, blind, or has any bad blemish whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to the Lord your God. 22 You shall eat it within your towns; the [ceremonially] unclean and the clean alike may eat it, as if it were a gazelle or a hart. 23 Only you shall not eat its blood; you shall pour it on the ground like water.
COMMENT 15:19-23
Note also Deuteronomy 12:6, Deuteronomy 14:23. The firstlings were God’s (Exodus 13:2) and were to be brought to the central sanctuary just as the tithes and offerings. These were to be without blemish, Deuteronomy 15:21 (Compare Leviticus 22:17-25). The giver could share in partaking of the sacrificial feast (Deuteronomy 15:20), just as we learned in Chapter s 12 and 14.
It is enjoined that, as all the firstborn were to be sanctified to the Lord (Exodus 13:2-13), they were not to work with the firstborn of their cattle, either by yoking the bullock to the plough or wagon or by shearing the sheep; these belonged to God, and were not to be put to any vulgar uses of men; year by year they were to be brought to the sanctuary, offered as sacrifices and eaten before the Lord (Pulpit).
These animals were sanctified (Deuteronomy 15:19). The word qadesh means to be pure, clean, holy, sacred, from a more literal meaning of to separate, set apart. The firstling males were to be so separated for God (Exodus 13:12), though an ass could be redeemed with a lamb (Exodus 13:13; Exodus 34:19-20). An unclean beast could also be redeemed, Leviticus 27:26-27.