READ DEUTERONOMY 24
GO DEEPER
Deuteronomy 24 discusses regulations concerning marriage, divorce, ceremonial practices, and helping those in need. By the end of the chapter, God is reminding the Israelites of His faithfulness and instructing them to show the same kindness to others. Verses 19-22 emphasize the concept of leaving crops in the field for the less fortunate - strangers, orphans, and widows - instead of completely harvesting them. This practice, known as gleaning, was part of Israel's social welfare system, where farmers were instructed to leave portions of their fields unharvested to support the needy. Leviticus 19:9-10 similarly instructs not to fully harvest fields and to leave some produce for the poor and foreigners. The poor would then gather these leftovers to sustain themselves.
Moses is reiterating the gleaning laws to the Israelites for several reasons. Firstly, it is because God values and rewards generosity toward the impoverished and vulnerable (v. 19). Secondly, the Israelites are reminded of their own past as slaves in Egypt (v. 22) and therefore should show compassion to the oppressed, just as they once were oppressed themselves. Following the Lord's command to care for the marginalized is an act of obedience. Moreover, this command reflects God's compassion for the widows, orphans, and those in need. He stands up for them and urges us to do the same for others, symbolizing our shared vulnerability in a spiritual context. Romans 5:6 says, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Without Him, we are unable to accomplish anything (see John 15:5). It is essential for us to seek assistance from Jesus, as He is our sole source of hope.
The book of Ruth later utilizes this regulation, which plays a crucial role in the plot. Ruth, a destitute widow, is graciously permitted to gather leftover grain in the fields of a man from Judah named Boaz. Boaz, deeply impressed by her devotion to her mother-in-law, instructs his workers to exceed the requirements of the law to assist her. In Ruth 2:15-16, Boaz mentions, "And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not."
A kinsman-redeemer was a male relative tasked with assisting a person in danger or need (Leviticus 25:25). The concept of preserving the family lineage is further elaborated in the subsequent chapter (Deuteronomy 25). Ruth, a non-Israelite, is in the genealogy of Jesus, and Boaz, serving as the kinsman-redeemer, serves as a representation of Christ. Redemption entails the act of "buying out," and Christ bears the ultimate cost for our deliverance. Through His sacrifice on the cross, He atoned for our sins, and as Christians, we have been redeemed from the grasp of sin and its everlasting consequences. Embracing our redemption and liberty in Christ, we are called to lead lives that mirror these realities. Our behaviors should exemplify the faith we proclaim. James articulates this sentiment in his epistle. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27).
We are summoned to help others through our lives. Our service is not about getting something in return, but it is motivated by the abundance we have already received in Christ.
QUESTIONS
1.
What have you gained from reading this chapter?
2. In what ways have you witnessed God's redemption in your life?
3. How can you help someone today?