God’s Care for the Economically Disadvantaged
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a bondman in the land of Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 24:19-22
. Also see
Leviticus 19:9, 10
.
The Mercy of God to Poor People
Every seventh year special provision was made for the poor. At
seedtime, which followed the ingathering, the people were not to sow;
they should not dress the vineyard in the spring; and they must expect
neither harvest nor vintage. The yield of this year was to be free for
the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and even for the creatures
of the field.
Exodus 23:10, 11
;
Leviticus 25:5
.
But if the land ordinarily produced only enough to supply the wants
of the people, how were they to subsist during the year when no crops
were gathered? The promise of God made ample provision: “I will
command My blessing upon you in the sixth year,” He said, “and it
shall bring forth fruit for three years. And ye shall sow the eighth year,
and eat yet of the old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in
ye shall eat of the old store.”
Leviticus 25:21, 22
.
The sabbatical year was to be a benefit to both land and people.
The soil, lying untilled for one season, would afterward produce more
plentifully. The people were released from the pressing labors of
the field. All enjoyed greater leisure, opportunity for the restoration
of their physical powers, more time for meditation and acquainting
themselves with the teachings of the Lord, and for the instruction of
their households.
In the sabbatical year the Hebrew slaves were to be set at liberty.
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“When thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go
away empty. Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out
of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the Lord thy
God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.”
Deuteronomy 15:13,
14
.
The hire of a laborer was to be promptly paid. “At his day thou
shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is
poor and setteth his heart upon it.”
Deuteronomy 24:15
.
Special directions were also given concerning the treatment of
fugitives from service: “Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the
servant which is escaped from his master unto thee: he shall dwell