They were to open their hand wide to their poorer brethren, for there should always be such in the land. This statement is not inconsistent with that in Deuteronomy 15:4 , for there it is the prevention of poverty by not dealing harshly with the poor that is spoken of; here it is the continuance of occasion for the relief of the poor that is referred to. read more
The poor in the land. The meaning is that there will always be greater or less scope for the exercise of the virtues of kindness and liberality,—that it is vain to hope for a Utopian condition of society in which there shall be absolutely no poor. I. THIS DOES NOT IMPLY : 1. That many existing causes of poverty cannot be permanently removed. 2. That every attempt ought not to be made to reduce poverty within its narrowest limits. The saying, "Ye have the poor always... read more
The year of release is no doubt identical with the sabbatical year of the earlier legislation (Exodus 23:10 ff, and Leviticus 25:2 ff), the command of the older legislation being here amplified. The release was probably for the year, not total and final, and had reference only to loans lent because of poverty (compare Deuteronomy 15:4, Deuteronomy 15:7). Yet even so the law was found to be too stringent for the avarice of the people, because it was one of those which the rabbis “made of none... read more
Deuteronomy 15:9-10. Beware Suppress the first risings of such uncharitableness. And thine eye be evil Envious, unmerciful, unkind, as this phrase means, Proverbs 23:6; that is, thou grudge to relieve him. The opposite to this is a bountiful eye, Proverbs 22:9. And it be sin unto thee Charged upon thee as a sin. Thy heart shall not be grieved That is, thou shalt give, not only with an open hand, but with a willing and cheerful mind, without which thy very charity is uncharitable, and... read more
Deuteronomy 15:11. The poor shall never cease God, by his providence, will so order it, partly for the punishment of your disobedience, and partly for the trial and exercise of your obedience to him, and charity to your brother. read more
The year of release (15:1-18)At the end of every seven years all Israelites were to forgive any debts that other Israelites owed them. They were to consider themselves one big family where no one should be driven into poverty or refused a loan in time of hardship, even if the year of release was approaching. God would reward those Israelites who were generous to their fellow Israelites. This law of release did not affect debts owed by foreigners. In those cases normal business procedures... read more
never cease. See note on Deuteronomy 15:4 . read more
Ver. 11. For the poor shall never cease out of the land— i.e. There shall be always some indigent persons among you who shall stand in need of your charitable relief. The Jerusalem Targum understands this, as if there should have been no poor among them, had they been obedient to God's precepts. Though God, by his providence, could easily supply the necessities of all, he nevertheless permits the perpetual continuance of the poor; and that for divers reasons worthy of his wisdom: among others,... read more
11. For the poor shall never cease out of the land—Although every Israelite on the conquest of Canaan became the owner of property, yet in the providence of God who foresaw the event, it was permitted, partly as a punishment of disobedience and partly for the exercise of benevolent and charitable feelings, that "the poor should never cease out of the land." :-. HEBREW SERVANTS' FREEDOM. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:10
Shall not be grieved ; literally, shall not become evil , i . e . shall not entertain a grudge. They were to give, not grudgingly or of necessity, merely through dread of God's displeasure, but cheerfully and spontaneously (of. 2 Corinthians 9:7 ). For this God would bless them in all their works, so that they should not only be no losers, but should be gainers, by their generosity. read more