Deuteronomy 15:9 - Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand”; and your eye be evil against your poor brother, and you give him nothing; and he cry to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you.
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What does "Deuteronomy 15:9" mean?
Deuteronomy 15:9 is a warning against taking advantage of the laws of debt release, particularly as the sabbatical year (the seventh year) approached. Let's break down the verse:
"Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand'...": This sets the scene. It cautions against harboring a selfish and calculating mindset. The "wicked thought" is the anticipation of the sabbatical year as a reason to avoid lending to someone in need. People were tempted to think, "Why should I lend now? In a year or two, the debt will be cancelled!"
"...and your eye be evil against your poor brother...": "Evil eye" is an idiom for begrudging someone something, being unwilling to help, and harboring resentment. It means looking at your brother (fellow Israelite) in need with disfavor and unwillingness to help.
"...and you give him nothing...": This highlights the specific action being condemned: refusing to lend to a poor person because of the upcoming sabbatical year.
"...and he cry to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you.": This emphasizes the serious consequences. If the poor person is denied help and cries out to God (Yahweh) for justice, God will hear and hold the uncharitable lender accountable. Refusing to help a brother in need, especially when you are able to, is considered a sin against God.
In essence, the verse warns against:
Selfishness and Greed: Prioritizing your own financial gain over the well-being of a fellow Israelite in need.
Exploiting the Law: Using the law (the sabbatical year's debt release) as an excuse to avoid the moral obligation to help the poor.
Lack of Compassion: Demonstrating a lack of empathy and unwillingness to support those struggling financially.
Key takeaways:
The spirit of the law matters: While the law provided for debt release, it was never intended to encourage stinginess or discourage lending.
Social responsibility: The verse underscores the importance of mutual support and caring for the vulnerable within the community.
God's concern for the poor: God hears the cries of the oppressed and will hold those who mistreat them accountable.
This verse is a powerful reminder that religious observance should not be a substitute for genuine compassion and a commitment to justice. It is a call to generosity, empathy, and a willingness to help those in need, even when it might require some sacrifice.
Deuteronomy 15:9 - Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand”; and your eye be evil against your poor brother, and you give him nothing; and he cry to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you.
What does "Deuteronomy 15:9" mean?
Deuteronomy 15:9 is a warning against taking advantage of the laws of debt release, particularly as the sabbatical year (the seventh year) approached. Let's break down the verse:
"Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand'...": This sets the scene. It cautions against harboring a selfish and calculating mindset. The "wicked thought" is the anticipation of the sabbatical year as a reason to avoid lending to someone in need. People were tempted to think, "Why should I lend now? In a year or two, the debt will be cancelled!"
"...and your eye be evil against your poor brother...": "Evil eye" is an idiom for begrudging someone something, being unwilling to help, and harboring resentment. It means looking at your brother (fellow Israelite) in need with disfavor and unwillingness to help.
"...and you give him nothing...": This highlights the specific action being condemned: refusing to lend to a poor person because of the upcoming sabbatical year.
"...and he cry to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you.": This emphasizes the serious consequences. If the poor person is denied help and cries out to God (Yahweh) for justice, God will hear and hold the uncharitable lender accountable. Refusing to help a brother in need, especially when you are able to, is considered a sin against God.
In essence, the verse warns against:
Selfishness and Greed: Prioritizing your own financial gain over the well-being of a fellow Israelite in need.
Exploiting the Law: Using the law (the sabbatical year's debt release) as an excuse to avoid the moral obligation to help the poor.
Lack of Compassion: Demonstrating a lack of empathy and unwillingness to support those struggling financially.
Key takeaways:
The spirit of the law matters: While the law provided for debt release, it was never intended to encourage stinginess or discourage lending.
Social responsibility: The verse underscores the importance of mutual support and caring for the vulnerable within the community.
God's concern for the poor: God hears the cries of the oppressed and will hold those who mistreat them accountable.
This verse is a powerful reminder that religious observance should not be a substitute for genuine compassion and a commitment to justice. It is a call to generosity, empathy, and a willingness to help those in need, even when it might require some sacrifice.