By Daniel Connor | Regional Director of Advocacy – West Coast
“Whenever you reap your harvest in your field and leave some unraked grain there, you must not return to get it; it should go to the resident foreigner, orphan, and widow so that the LORD your God may bless all the work you do.When you beat your olive tree you must not repeat the procedure; the remaining olives belong to the resident foreigner, orphan, and widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard you must not do so a second time; they should go to the resident foreigner, orphan, and widow. Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt; therefore, I am commanding you to do all this.” Deuteronomy 24:19-22 (NET)
When was the last time someone showed you mercy?
Deuteronomy 24 is all about relationship and not just any relationship, but relationships with people. In verse 19-21 the recurring theme is to care for the poor, orphan, and widow. To show mercy to them by providing for them by providing for some real needs. Now the verses do not say this was just a nice gesture, these verses are a command.
It’s interesting that in verse 22 it goes on to say, “remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt; therefore, I am commanding you to do all of this.”
God had delivered the Israelites from slavery, and here God is wanting them to remember that He showed them mercy by bringing them out of slavery. He heard their cry for help and had mercy on them. And now there is a command being issued by God that they were to also show mercy. It’s as if God was saying, ” remember you once were in a very bad situation and I showed mercy and delivered you, now it’s your turn to show mercy.”
The poor, the orphan, and the widow. These are real people, with real needs.
Today, as you remember where you came from and how God has shown you mercy, will do show that same mercy that was given to you? Care for the orphan, the widow, and the poor. This is not a guilt trip, but rather a command for us to love as God loved us.
How will you show mercy today?