Deuteronomy 15 - Release for Debtors

In this chapter, Moses informs the people of Israel the process of canceling debt, giving freely to others, releasing slaves, and sacrificing first born animals. He begins by stating, “At the end of every seventh year you must cancel your debts. This is how it must be done. Creditors must cancel the loans they have made to their fellow Israelites. They must not demand payment from their neighbors or relatives, for the Lord’s time of release has arrived.” (Deuteronomy 15:1-3)

Nice...this is why debt is removed from your credit report after seven years! I did not realize that this rule was influenced by the bible.

Moses continues and tells the people they will be greatly blessed by the Lord, and as a nation, never need to borrow money, and no poor should live among them. He then says, “But if there are any poor people in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year of release is close at hand...Give freely without begrudging it, and the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.” (Deuteronomy 15:7-10) This is how we are to treat others. Lord, thank you!

Moses then begins talking about slaves. He told the Israelites, “If an Israelite man or woman voluntarily becomes your servant and serves you for six years, in the seventh year you must set that servant free.”

Let’s take a look at this for a minute. Isn’t it interesting how man can apply some rules of the bible to the letter, like cancelling debt after 7 years, but then change others so it can serve them and fit into their agenda? My initial thought after reading the sentence regarding servants was....they definitely didn’t follow this command because they didn’t release any slaves after six years of service. However, after reading it again, the word VOLUNTARILY explodes on the page. Now it makes sense...the slaves didn’t volunteer to be servants; they were forced to be slaves, and as a result, the rule doesn’t apply and they could keep the slaves for LIFE! LOL…that is funny!

Also, it does say “If an Israelite man or woman…” So enslaving foreigners and other races for life would be okay and in compliance of the rule. I stand corrected...I guess Man was following the rule. LOL!

Moses continues by telling the people to remember that they were once slaves in the land of Egypt, and to be generous to the slaves when they are released, not sending them away empty-handed. However, if the servant says, “I will not leave you, because he loves you and your family, and he is well off with you.” Moses says, in this case, you can keep the servant for life.

LOL...here we go again! “Keep the servant for life” serves Man. “Not sending them away empty-handed” and giving them 40 acres and a mule -- it didn’t serve Man because it would COST Man, so it didn’t happen!

Moses concludes this chapter informing the Israelites to set aside for the Lord all firstborn males from their flocks and herds. He said, “...eat these animals in the presence of the Lord your God each year at the place he chooses. But if this firstborn animal has any defect, such as being lame or blind, or if anything else is wrong with it, you must not sacrifice it to the Lord your God. Instead, use it for food for your family at home.

Side note...I’ve been noticing that when Moses is referencing sacrifices or tithes, he’s indicating that the people themselves are consuming the sacrifice, and the stipulation is that they eat it in the presence of the Lord. So the best of your sacrifices are eaten in the presence of God, and the less than best...you simply eat at home.

Lord, thank you for your Word today. You are amazing! Help us to be generous and to give freely, and thank you for continually opening our eyes to your truth. We love you!

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.