If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
The direction was given by Christ Himself on Mount Sinai to Moses as part of the instruction in Exodus 19-24, specifically the statutes and judgments recorded in Exodus 21, 22, and 23 and written in a book to guard against injustice and to guide dealing one with another. It does not belong to a Christless dispensation and is not of a lower order than the requirements of the present age, but shows how impartial are the divine ways and how exalted are all the divine requirements, and it was to be strictly obeyed and to be studied and presented now just as verily as by Israel then.
When a poor neighbor's garment or blanket is taken as security or pledge for a loan, it must be delivered back to him by sunset, by sundown, by nightfall, so he is not left without it overnight. The reason is that it is his only covering, needed for sleeping, so the rule protects his basic needs and rights. Lending must therefore be merciful, just, and compassionate rather than oppressive or using the poor person's need for gain, with dealing that considers the needs of others, ceases contention, and loves as brethren with softened and subdued hearts. God hears the cry of the afflicted borrower because He is gracious, so keeping the poor's necessities is oppression and a violation of just dealing.
The requirement belongs to the plan of life given to Israel as an object lesson for all mankind about justice and mercy to the poor, the borrower, the homeless, the suffering and needy, and the outcast, connected with companion principles such as hiding the outcasts, not betraying the fugitive, and covering them from the spoiler. Its principle applies today to practical help for the unemployed and the homeless by giving to him that asks, not turning away from him that would borrow, dealing without oppression or unrighteousness, and providing for homes and for food through work. If these principles were carried out the world would be a different place, with room within nature and resources sufficient for all who will work.
The direction was given by Christ Himself on Mount Sinai to Moses as part of the instruction in Exodus 19-24, specifically the statutes and judgments recorded in Exodus 21, 22, and 23 and written in a book to guard against injustice and to guide dealing one with another. It does not belong to a Christless dispensation and is not of a lower order than the requirements of the present age, but shows how impartial are the divine ways and how exalted are all the divine requirements, and it was to be strictly obeyed and to be studied and presented now just as verily as by Israel then.
When a poor neighbor's garment or blanket is taken as security or pledge for a loan, it must be delivered back to him by sunset, by sundown, by nightfall, so he is not left without it overnight. The reason is that it is his only covering, needed for sleeping, so the rule protects his basic needs and rights. Lending must therefore be merciful, just, and compassionate rather than oppressive or using the poor person's need for gain, with dealing that considers the needs of others, ceases contention, and loves as brethren with softened and subdued hearts. God hears the cry of the afflicted borrower because He is gracious, so keeping the poor's necessities is oppression and a violation of just dealing.
The requirement belongs to the plan of life given to Israel as an object lesson for all mankind about justice and mercy to the poor, the borrower, the homeless, the suffering and needy, and the outcast, connected with companion principles such as hiding the outcasts, not betraying the fugitive, and covering them from the spoiler. Its principle applies today to practical help for the unemployed and the homeless by giving to him that asks, not turning away from him that would borrow, dealing without oppression or unrighteousness, and providing for homes and for food through work. If these principles were carried out the world would be a different place, with room within nature and resources sufficient for all who will work.