Deuteronomy - Chapter 24

Deuteronomy 24.1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. Deuteronomy 24.2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. Deuteronomy 24.3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; Deuteronomy 24.4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. Deuteronomy 24.5 When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken. Deuteronomy 24.6 No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh a man’s life to pledge. Deuteronomy 24.7 If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you. Deuteronomy 24.8 Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so ye shall observe to do. Deuteronomy 24.9 Remember what the LORD thy God did unto Miriam by the way, after that ye were come forth out of Egypt. Deuteronomy 24.10 When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge. Deuteronomy 24.11 Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee. Deuteronomy 24.12 And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge: Deuteronomy 24.13 In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 24.14 Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: Deuteronomy 24.15 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: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee. Deuteronomy 24.16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin. Deuteronomy 24.17 Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow’s raiment to pledge: Deuteronomy 24.18 But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing. Deuteronomy 24.19 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. Deuteronomy 24.20 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. Deuteronomy 24.21 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 24.22 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

Deuteronomy : Chapter 24

Social Welfare According to Deuteronomy 24

Deuteronomy 24 presents fundamental laws regarding social welfare. It illustrates how God cares for the vulnerable in society. This compassionate text addresses crucial issues such as divorce, remarriage, pawnbroking, kidnapping, and the situation of lepers. Indeed, the chapter emphasizes the importance of justice for workers, foreigners, orphans, and widows.

Deuteronomy 24 thus reveals God's heart for the marginalized and establishes principles of social equity. To better understand these precepts of social justice, let's reflect together on five biblical passages that illuminate the teachings of this inspiring chapter.

1. Matthew 5:31-32

"It was said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, commits adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

- In this passage, Jesus directly refers to the divorce laws mentioned in Deuteronomy 24:1-4, offering a new interpretation that underscores the depth of marital commitments.

2. Mark 10:2-9

"Some Pharisees approached him and tested him with this question: 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?'..."

- Here, Jesus discusses and reinterprets the divorce laws of Deuteronomy 24:1-4, inviting everyone to consider the sanctity of marriage.

3. James 5:4

"Pay attention to this: the wages of the laborers who harvested your fields, which you deceitfully withheld, cry out against you. The lamentation of the reapers has reached the ears of the Lord of hosts."

- This verse illustrates the principles of justice for workers, which are also found in Deuteronomy 24:14-15, recalling the importance of honoring the rights of workers.

4. Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters; for he will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

- This teaching of Jesus echoes the principles of economic justice found in Deuteronomy 24:10-13, calling for ethical management of resources.

5. Luke 6:34-35

"And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, hoping to be repaid in full. Instead, love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return..."

- Here Jesus expands on the principles of lending found in Deuteronomy 24:10-13, inviting us to a generosity that exceeds human expectations.

Through these passages, we discover that the laws of Deuteronomy 24 are not simply rules, but an invitation to live according to divine justice, caring for the most vulnerable and responding to God's call for a more equitable society.