Deuteronomy 15:1-11
Summary for Deut 15:1-23: 15:1-23 a The Law included the regulation of borrowing and lending so that the poor could survive deprivation. It provided restrictions to allow the rich to minister to the needs of the poor without exploiting them. 15:1 b cancel the debts: This technical term refers to releasing people in financial bondage from their creditors and from any penalty for their default.15:2 c The time of release was to occur every seventh year across the nation (the Sabbath year, Lev 25:1-7 d). The time frame followed the calendar rather than the length of the loan arrangement. This meant that the year of release could fall as soon as a year after a loan was made.
15:4 e If Israel lived in perfect obedience to the covenant, there would be no poor in the nation. However, this ideal was never realized in ancient Israel, and poverty was very much an issue.
15:6 f You will lend money to many nations: An obedient Israel would become an affluent nation able to provide international aid. This bounty would bear testimony to God’s promise to Abraham that his seed would be a blessing to all nations (Gen 12:2-3 g; 17:4-6 h; 26:3-4 i).
15:11 j The reality that there will always be some ... who are poor in a fallen world is no excuse for indifference to their plight. Instead, it should emphasize the need for the rich to contribute to the well-being of the poor (Matt 26:6-13 k).
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