Exo 22:26-27 | KingComments | STEP | Here the mercy of God radiates toward the weak in society. God stands up for them ( ). It is not a social program for global improvement or a call to work for asylum seekers. It is about reflecting God’s grace, something that can only happen through His people. Because the Israelites have been strangers in Egypt, they must be able to imagine what it is like to be a stranger living in their midst. That should make them gracious toward them. In the same way believers must have compassion with people in the world because they used to belong to it. A haughty attitude toward the lowest sunken person does not befit a believer. God is particularly concerned about the fate of the widow or orphan. To oppress them is pure exploitation and abuse of power. God hears their call of help and will avenge them according to the law of retribution. Loaning money to a compatriot is allowed, but without charging him interest. It must be an act of mercy. Earning from the poverty of the compatriot betrays heartlessness. If someone is so poor that he even has to pledge his cloak, the cloak must be returned to him in the evening. His poverty and then nudity evoke feelings of grace in God. God wants us to learn to share in His feelings.

‏ Exodus 22:26-27

Stranger – Widow – Orphan – Poor

Here the mercy of God radiates toward the weak in society. God stands up for them (Psa 146:9). It is not a social program for global improvement or a call to work for asylum seekers. It is about reflecting God’s grace, something that can only happen through His people.

Because the Israelites have been strangers in Egypt, they must be able to imagine what it is like to be a stranger living in their midst. That should make them gracious toward them. In the same way believers must have compassion with people in the world because they used to belong to it. A haughty attitude toward the lowest sunken person does not befit a believer.

God is particularly concerned about the fate of the widow or orphan. To oppress them is pure exploitation and abuse of power. God hears their call of help and will avenge them according to the law of retribution.

Loaning money to a compatriot is allowed, but without charging him interest. It must be an act of mercy. Earning from the poverty of the compatriot betrays heartlessness.

If someone is so poor that he even has to pledge his cloak, the cloak must be returned to him in the evening. His poverty and then nudity evoke feelings of grace in God. God wants us to learn to share in His feelings.