Deuteronomy 15: Shmitah teaches mercy and freedom

Instructions on the shvi’it (“seventh”), the year of shmitah (“release”) or sabbatical year, are part of a larger teaching in Deuteronomy 14–16 on the Fourth Commandment, to guard the seventh day of the week as a holy memorial. But these instructions on care for the poor and releasing debts during the shmitah show us how the various Shabbat memorials remind us of all God has released us from through Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:49 — 13.3MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Thought questions

What is the difference between lending and usury (Deut. 15:7)?

What is the command in Deut. 15:1?

Does Deut. 15:7 refer to beggars on the street corner?

Should there never be poor in a nation (Deut. 15:11)?

How does God release you of your obligations or trials before Himself?

Why aren’t foreigners included in the release?

How is this similar to the modern trend of people moving to countries with generous social programs but don’t become productive citizens and/or refuse to assimilate into their host country?

Deut. 15:9 literally says one has an “evil eye” if he waits until the end of the six years to lend money or assist the poor. What is an “evil eye” or an “eye full of darkness” (Matt. 6:23)?

When are we to give to those in need?

Deut 15:13. How does this chapter compare to the slave trade in America up to the Civil War?

Deut. 15:19. What is so important about the firstborn of the flock? How is this different from how the tithe is selected?