Debt to your brother and releasing that debt
Deut 15:1-11 (NASB)
O -
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and lays restraints upon the thoughts of the heart.
—Matthew Henry Concise
As the Israelites went from slaves, to rightful heirs of the promised land, the Lord recognized that greed and callousness to ones fellow brother would become a problem, without clear commandments on what behavior to exhibit and which to prohibit. The promised land is sufficient provision for all God's people, and therefore non should be without. He command them lend to their brothers in need, and then every seventh year forgive that debt. It set up the precedence for the grace shown by Christ, who paid for our debt, even though we did not need to wait for the seventh year, but merely accept his free will offering. In some ways the scripture gives us a clear vision of God's kingdom, one in which all needs are provided for, and no one is debt to anyone, but simply all fellowship as one, in worship of the Lord our God.
A - The application for me is to recognize that I can start living the kingdom here on earth, as it is in heaven today, if I would lend freely to my brother, and forgive quickly any debts that I might hold over others. It is an assured way to stay close to God, and protect my heart from the ways of the world.
P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart. Lord show me any debts I have not forgiven, and help me to release my hand on them. Show me my brothers needs, and the provision through me which you have provided. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
S -
1 "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts.2 "This is the manner of remission: every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because the Lord's remission has been proclaimed.3
"From a foreigner you may exact it, but your hand shall release whatever of yours is with your brother.4 "However, there will be no poor among you, since the Lord will surely bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess,5 if only you listen obediently to the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today.6 "For the Lord your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.7 "If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother;8 but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.9 "Beware that there is no base thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,' and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to the Lord against you, and it will be a sin in you.10 "You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.11 "For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.'Deut 15:1-11 (NASB)
O -
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and lays restraints upon the thoughts of the heart.
—Matthew Henry Concise
As the Israelites went from slaves, to rightful heirs of the promised land, the Lord recognized that greed and callousness to ones fellow brother would become a problem, without clear commandments on what behavior to exhibit and which to prohibit. The promised land is sufficient provision for all God's people, and therefore non should be without. He command them lend to their brothers in need, and then every seventh year forgive that debt. It set up the precedence for the grace shown by Christ, who paid for our debt, even though we did not need to wait for the seventh year, but merely accept his free will offering. In some ways the scripture gives us a clear vision of God's kingdom, one in which all needs are provided for, and no one is debt to anyone, but simply all fellowship as one, in worship of the Lord our God.
A - The application for me is to recognize that I can start living the kingdom here on earth, as it is in heaven today, if I would lend freely to my brother, and forgive quickly any debts that I might hold over others. It is an assured way to stay close to God, and protect my heart from the ways of the world.
P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart. Lord show me any debts I have not forgiven, and help me to release my hand on them. Show me my brothers needs, and the provision through me which you have provided. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
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