The Text today reminds me of the Book of Ruth!

And of God’s care for the “poor” of the land.

Remember, this is a Law.

For Israel.

“When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.” Deuteronomy 24:19-21

Leave something behind, when you are harvesting your crops!

Don’t strip the field, the tree, or the vine bare!

Yes, this involves grain, olives, and grapes.

And presumably every other kind of edible vegetation.

So those who are “needy” will have bread to eat. Oil (from olives) to light their homes. And grapes for both juice and sweetening purposes.

Do notice that these commodities are to be “left” laying in the fields, or  “still growing” on the trees or vines. In other words … do not pick these things for the poor people. Do not be stingy … but they must exert enough effort to come and retrieve what God has provided them!

This discouraged slothfulness!

And did you see that one line about God “blessing” those who are this generous, who obey with a sweet spirit? “That the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.”

Wow!

But now let’s see who qualifies for this largesse.

King James Version: “for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.”

The noun “stranger” is “ger,” meaning a “foreigner.”

“Fatherless” is “yathom,” meaning “lonely person.” It’s translated “orphan” once in the Bible, but expresses particularly the idea of one having a dead Father, 41 times! (It is only used 42 times, total.)

Then “widow” is “almanah,” meaning “one who is desolate,” thus a woman who has lost her husband, often her sole provider back in those days.

Yes, God loves the needy!

Listen to Solomon in Proverbs concerning the “poor.” By the way, that word (“poor”) is used nearly 40 times in the Book of Proverbs! “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17

Wow, there’s that idea of “reward, blessing” again!

Folks, if society functioned like this yet today, bathed in such prevalent generosity, the so-called “entitlement” programs of a country’s budget could be greatly reduced, or maybe even eliminated!

But alas, even Israel does not obey such a command any more.

Still, the principle remains.

Be generous to those who have valid issues of “poverty.”

After all, God sure has been gracious to us!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

In fact, after giving today’s legislation (Deuteronomy 24:19-21) … look what God said next. “Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman (slave) in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.” To give to the poor!

Wow!