That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?
Buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of shoes means treating needy people as commodities to be bought, swallowing them up and causing them to fail. The greed behind it includes begrudging the time taken by the new moon and the Sabbath and being eager to resume selling corn and wheat. It condemns cheating buyers through dishonest trade, making the measure small and the price great and falsifying balances by deceit. Selling the refuse of the wheat means passing off inferior leftover grain as though it were good.
Such practices show a selfish, worldly pursuit of gain that overrides justice and care for the poor. That self-serving dealing especially includes oppressing the hired worker in his wages and creating burdens and perplexities for others by unsanctified methods. God remembers these deeds, abhors them as contrary to His precepts, and will punish them and will not work with such iniquitous practices. Instead God requires those addressed to reveal justice and mercy by doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with Him.
Buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of shoes means treating needy people as commodities to be bought, swallowing them up and causing them to fail. The greed behind it includes begrudging the time taken by the new moon and the Sabbath and being eager to resume selling corn and wheat. It condemns cheating buyers through dishonest trade, making the measure small and the price great and falsifying balances by deceit. Selling the refuse of the wheat means passing off inferior leftover grain as though it were good.
Such practices show a selfish, worldly pursuit of gain that overrides justice and care for the poor. That self-serving dealing especially includes oppressing the hired worker in his wages and creating burdens and perplexities for others by unsanctified methods. God remembers these deeds, abhors them as contrary to His precepts, and will punish them and will not work with such iniquitous practices. Instead God requires those addressed to reveal justice and mercy by doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with Him.