20: The Release of debts and slaves (#4 Sabbath law) (Deut 15:1 – 23)

Chapters 15 and 16 tell that the spirit of the law of God for His people is liberality. They needed to release debts and slaves every seventh year. The spirit of freedom is embodied in the fourth commandment, the Sabbath law.

πŸ‘‰ Read Deuteronomy 15:1 - 23

The Lord asked them to cancel all debts at the end of every (           ) year. What is the compensation for this? (4-6)

 

If you refuse to lend money to the needy, it is your sin. Why?

 

Why do you need to keep helping others in need? (v11)

 

What verses promise to bless them if they release their fellow Israelites from the bondage of debt and slavery? (four verses)

 

Any firstborn from their herds or flocks should be offered to (            ). But the one with blemish, they cannot offer it but may eat it at their (             ).

 

Answers and Meditations

Seventh, the Lord will surely bless them.

The Lord doesn’t want His people to live in debt in the promised land. When you read the Bible and interpret the law, keep this in your mind. True freedom and eternal blessing are the Lord's will for His people. 

 

They will cry out to the Lord, and you will be guilty.

If you acknowledge that it is the Lord who made you rich, you will admit that you are obligated to share with others. 


There will be some poor people always.

 

4,6,10,18

Compare four verses and see how the Lord confirms to bless us. Surely (4), in the land (4), just as He promised (6), all your work and everything you attempt (10), everything you do (18).

You don't need to spend too much time or energy to decide where to go and what to do. Just follow the Lord's ways, He will bless you in everything you attempt!


The Lord, villages

Though the Bible doesn’t explicitly detail the procedure of the firstborn offering, it seems they offered it in a way similar to a peace offering. They ate together with the priests after the sacrifice. 

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