I would simply call it “kindness.”

And when obeyed, today’s Deuteronomy paragraph indicates that the Israelites just might have been the most gracious people on earth.

“Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother’s, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.” Deuteronomy 22:1-4

And though our Paragraph here has some specifics built right into it … Paul pretty much summarizes it in a line from the New Testament. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted.” Ephesians 4:32a

Moses (really, God Who wrote the Law) has just taught the Jews to …

If necessary, go out of your way to “help” a needy person! “Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep go astray, and HIDE THYSELF from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.”

Even when given the opportunity, one may not “take” another man’s property … until he is sure there is no other resolution to the matter! “And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.” Feed the animal? At my expense? Apparently so!

Then we come to the legislation about simply “helping” a fellow human being. “Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely HELP HIM to lift them up again.” But what if I’m in a hurry? That thought did not enter God’s Mind! HELPING must be more important than HURRYING!

Short Lesson this morning!

If God gives you opportunity to be “kind” to someone today, you likely should “go that extra mile” and be of service to him or her.

Surely, God would be glorified in such a deed.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Today’s specific set of instructions clearly deals with a man’s “ox,” but also applies to his “donkey,” any article of his “clothing!” Or to anything else he may own!

Enough has been said.