Deuteronomy - Chapter 15

Deuteronomy 15.1 At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. Deuteronomy 15.2 And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD’s release. Deuteronomy 15.3 Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release; Deuteronomy 15.4 Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it: Deuteronomy 15.5 Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day. Deuteronomy 15.6 For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee. Deuteronomy 15.7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: Deuteronomy 15.8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Deuteronomy 15.9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Deuteronomy 15.10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. Deuteronomy 15.11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. Deuteronomy 15.12 And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. Deuteronomy 15.13 And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: Deuteronomy 15.14 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 15.15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day. Deuteronomy 15.16 And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee; Deuteronomy 15.17 Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise. Deuteronomy 15.18 It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest. Deuteronomy 15.19 All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep. Deuteronomy 15.20 Thou shalt eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household. Deuteronomy 15.21 And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 15.22 Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean person shall eat it alike, as the roebuck, and as the hart. Deuteronomy 15.23 Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.

Deuteronomy : Chapter 15

Social Justice according to Deuteronomy 15

Chapter 15 of the book of Deuteronomy promotes a fundamental principle: social justice. This sacred text teaches us how God's law works in favor of vulnerable and marginalized people. Indeed, it sets the year for debt forgiveness, regulates the freeing of slaves, and calls for generosity toward the poor. Through these commandments, the chapter highlights compassion, social responsibility, and trust in God's provision.

Deuteronomy 15 thus establishes a model for a just and merciful society. We invite you to meditate on five biblical passages that illuminate the enduring principles of this transformative chapter.

1. 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

"What we want is equality. For now, your abundance will meet their needs, so that their abundance will meet your needs. Then there will be equality, as it is written: 'Whoever gathered much did not have too much, and whoever gathered little did not lack.'"

In this passage, Paul applies the principle of concern for the poor, as stated in Deuteronomy 15, to the Church, emphasizing the importance of equality and sharing.

2. Matthew 5:42

"Give to those who ask you, and do not turn your back on those who want to borrow from you."

Jesus, echoing the commandment of Deuteronomy 15, exhorts us to be generosity toward those in need, thus reinforcing our commitment to being instruments of divine mercy.

3. Galatians 2:10

"They simply asked us to remember the poor, which I tried to do."

The apostles, in their mission, continue to focus on caring for the poor, a central theme of Deuteronomy 15, reminding us of our duty to help those most in need.

4. James 2:15-16

"If a brother or sister needs clothing and daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warm and eat until you are satisfied,' but you don't give them anything, what good does it do?"

James highlights the importance of concrete action in our faith, applying the principle of caring for the poor to our daily Christian lives.

5. Luke 4:18-19

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

In this passage, Jesus quotes Isaiah, echoing the themes of Deuteronomy 15 on freedom from debt and care for the poor, calling us to participate in his mission of liberation and relief.

As we meditate on these verses, we are invited to embody the values ​​of justice, compassion, and solidarity in our daily lives, following the example set by the words of God.