There should be no poor among you. (Deuteronomy 15:4)There's much in these three chapters we could talk about. Chapter 13 emphasizes how important it is not to fall for any teaching that would draw us away from God. The writer gives three examples where people could be tempted to believe a lie. 1) Don't follow false teaching even if the people who proclaim it back up their words with some flashy miracle; 2) Don't follow false teaching even if someone you love tells you it's true; and 3) Don't follow false teaching even if everyone else follows it - the majority has been wrong before.
Chapter 15 speaks about the Sabbath year for cancelling debts. There should be no poor among you. It's not the poor this passage is aimed at, but those with plenty. Do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. (Deuteronomy 15:7,8)
This reminds me of Proverbs 19:17 - If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord - and he will repay you!
I noticed that chapter 15's instructions for taking care of the poor is immediately preceded by the importance of tithing in chapter 14.
ReplyDeleteJesus' call in Matt 22:37-39 to love God first/ others second is obviously quoting passages from Leviticus and Deuteronomy. It seems to me that Deuteronomy 14-15 contains specific ways to prioritize and express our love for God and others.