1 At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.
2 And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbor shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD's release.
3 Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release;
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:
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.
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.
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:
8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
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.
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.
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.
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.
13 And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:
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.
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.
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;
17 Then thou shalt take an awl, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
23 Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.
The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament and the final book of the Pentateuch. It is a record of the speeches given by Moses to the Israelites before they entered into the Promised Land. In chapter 15, Moses continues to remind the people of God's laws and commands, emphasizing the importance of obedience and faithfulness. This chapter also contains instructions for the release of debts and the treatment of slaves. The main themes of this chapter are obedience to God, social justice, and the importance of remembering God's deliverance.
The first section of chapter 15 focuses on the concept of obedience to God. Moses reminds the Israelites that they are God's chosen people and they must follow His commands in order to receive His blessings. He tells them that if they carefully obey all of God's laws, they will be blessed in all their undertakings. However, if they turn away from God and do not obey His commands, they will be cursed and face consequences. This theme of obedience is repeated throughout the book of Deuteronomy, emphasizing the importance of following God's will and living according to His laws.
The second section of chapter 15 deals with the issue of social justice. Moses instructs the Israelites to practice social justice by releasing debts and forgiving their fellow Israelites. Every seven years, the Israelites were to release all debts owed to them by their fellow Israelites. This was known as the Year of Release, and it was a way to ensure that no one would be permanently burdened by debt. Additionally, Moses reminds the Israelites to be generous to those in need, especially the poor and the oppressed. This emphasis on social justice reflects God's character and His desire for His people to care for one another and treat each other with fairness and compassion.
The final section of chapter 15 focuses on the importance of remembering God's deliverance. Moses reminds the Israelites of their time in Egypt and how God miraculously brought them out of slavery. He instructs them to never forget this and to have compassion on any foreigners or slaves in their midst, as they too were once slaves in Egypt. This serves as a reminder that God is a God of deliverance and that the Israelites should show mercy and kindness to others, just as God has shown them mercy and kindness.
The book of Deuteronomy is a book of reminders and reiterations of God's laws and commands. In chapter 15, Moses reminds the Israelites of the importance of obedience to God, social justice, and remembering God's deliverance. These themes are not only relevant to the Israelites in their time, but they also hold great meaning for us today.
Firstly, the emphasis on obedience to God serves as a reminder that our relationship with God is based on obedience and faithfulness. Just as the Israelites were expected to follow God's commands, we too are called to live according to God's will and obey His laws. This requires a daily surrendering of our own desires and submitting to God's plans for our lives.
Secondly, the concept of social justice is a timeless reminder of our responsibility to care for one another. As God's people, we are called to show compassion and generosity to those in need, just as God has shown us. This includes releasing debts, forgiving others, and being generous towards those who are oppressed and marginalized. In a world that is often filled with injustice and inequality, this reminder is especially relevant and challenges us to actively seek ways to promote social justice in our communities.
Lastly, the theme of remembering God's deliverance is a reminder of God's faithfulness and love towards His people. Just as the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, we too have been delivered from the bondage of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This reminder encourages us to never forget God's goodness and to extend that same mercy and kindness to others.
In conclusion, chapter 15 of the book of Deuteronomy serves as a powerful reminder of our relationship with God and our responsibility to live according to His will. It calls us to obedience, social justice, and to remember God's deliverance in our lives. These timeless themes continue to hold great meaning and relevance for us today, reminding us of the character of God and our role as His chosen people.
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