Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Thou shalt neither vex the outsider dwelling among Israel nor oppress him, but treat him justly with humane dealing that takes no advantage of the vulnerable. Neighbor in this command includes the stranger and all who cannot help themselves. The ground given is that Israel had themselves lived as outsiders in Egypt. Remembering that former affliction and the hand that delivered them keeps hearts tender by grace and thankful for favors received. That same memory calls for mercy, love, and compassion toward strangers as well as fellow believers.
The command belongs to the specifications given through Moses after the Ten Commandments to train Israel in how to treat one another. It is part of the word given in the mount in Exodus 19-24 and of the statutes and judgments recorded in Exodus chapters 21-23. It was given by Jesus Christ Himself, the same Teacher who gave the directions on Sinai and afterward spoke in human flesh. It therefore does not belong to a Christless dispensation nor is of a lower order than present requirements. It is a practical expression of the principles of the Ten Commandments made clear so the people would not err, showing the impartiality of God's ways and the exalted character of His requirements. It was to be strictly obeyed and is needed now just as verily as in the days of Moses, to be studied and presented before the people in its smallest details.
Together with the laws for the widow and the fatherless child, it especially guards the interests of the poor, the stranger, and all who need help. It requires mercy, love, compassion, and brotherly tenderness with softened and subdued hearts, and it rules out injustice, fraud, selfishness, advantage-taking, and contention. God watches over the afflicted and oppressed and hears their cry whenever they are afflicted in any way. His wrath grows hot against oppressors to punish them with the sword until their own wives become widows and their children fatherless, and He will surely bring into judgment those who disregard the rules laid down to protect the helpless. The rule condemns exploiting the poor in lending by exacting oppressive interest.
Those in churches and those in positions of responsibility in institutions must learn from these words to shield the helpless from harm. In connection with building the temple, Solomon should have first sought to obtain all possible strength and ability from a people shaped by such directions.
Thou shalt neither vex the outsider dwelling among Israel nor oppress him, but treat him justly with humane dealing that takes no advantage of the vulnerable. Neighbor in this command includes the stranger and all who cannot help themselves. The ground given is that Israel had themselves lived as outsiders in Egypt. Remembering that former affliction and the hand that delivered them keeps hearts tender by grace and thankful for favors received. That same memory calls for mercy, love, and compassion toward strangers as well as fellow believers.
The command belongs to the specifications given through Moses after the Ten Commandments to train Israel in how to treat one another. It is part of the word given in the mount in Exodus 19-24 and of the statutes and judgments recorded in Exodus chapters 21-23. It was given by Jesus Christ Himself, the same Teacher who gave the directions on Sinai and afterward spoke in human flesh. It therefore does not belong to a Christless dispensation nor is of a lower order than present requirements. It is a practical expression of the principles of the Ten Commandments made clear so the people would not err, showing the impartiality of God's ways and the exalted character of His requirements. It was to be strictly obeyed and is needed now just as verily as in the days of Moses, to be studied and presented before the people in its smallest details.
Together with the laws for the widow and the fatherless child, it especially guards the interests of the poor, the stranger, and all who need help. It requires mercy, love, compassion, and brotherly tenderness with softened and subdued hearts, and it rules out injustice, fraud, selfishness, advantage-taking, and contention. God watches over the afflicted and oppressed and hears their cry whenever they are afflicted in any way. His wrath grows hot against oppressors to punish them with the sword until their own wives become widows and their children fatherless, and He will surely bring into judgment those who disregard the rules laid down to protect the helpless. The rule condemns exploiting the poor in lending by exacting oppressive interest.
Those in churches and those in positions of responsibility in institutions must learn from these words to shield the helpless from harm. In connection with building the temple, Solomon should have first sought to obtain all possible strength and ability from a people shaped by such directions.