17 “You shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow’s garment as a pledge. 18 But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this thing. 19 “When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. 22 And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing—Deuteronomy 24:17-22
It is hard to miss God’s heart of compassion for the weak, vulnerable and poor in both the Old Testament and the New. In this particular chapter it is impossible. God commands those that are His to think and act differently toward the poor among them. Laws should be carried out with equity for all. When harvesting crops, God’s people were to leave a remnant for the poor. Verse 18 says this:
But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this thing.
I can remember the same...I was a slave to sin. My God set me free. He redeemed my life from destruction. He brought me up out of a horrible pit, set my feet upon a rock and established my steps. Oh, that I would remember to share that love and grace with others by imitating Him...by not forgetting to do good and share because with such sacrifices He is well pleased. Beloved...when we do as He commands, we see that God is a debtor to no man. He blesses us in return.
Praying that as I gaze today into the mirror of His word that I do not walk away and forget what God has shown me (commanded me). May my walk...my “daily conversation”...reflect the holy and beautiful, kind and generous love of my God.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.—Ephesians 4:32
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.—Ephesians 5:1-2
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.—Matthew 6:33
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;He remembers that we are dust.—Psalm 103:1-14
