Exodus 22:27
For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious. For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
The instruction was given through Moses among the statutes and judgments recorded in Exodus 21, 22, and 23, which were to be strictly obeyed. It was given by Jesus Christ Himself, and does not witness to a Christless dispensation nor stand of a lower order than present requirements. It is still needed to guard against injustice and to guide how people treat one another. It was given as part of the plan of life to Israel as an object lesson for all mankind about justice and mercy and care for the suffering, needy, homeless, poor, borrower, and outcast. It guards the interests of God's people by special direction concerning the poor, showing how impartial God's ways are and how exalted His requirements are. If these principles were carried out today the world would be a different place.
If a poor neighbor's outer garment or raiment is taken as a pledge for a debt or loan, it must be returned by sunset, sundown, or nightfall. The reason is that it is his only covering and clothing for his skin and what he sleeps in. When the afflicted person cries out, God will hear, because He is gracious.
The verse forbids enriching one class or oneself by the oppression, suffering, and impoverishing of another. It forbids exploiting the necessities of the poor and afflicted. It requires putting oneself in the place of those dealt with in business, so a lender must not take advantage of another's misfortune, weakness, or incompetence to benefit himself. Merciful lending and giving to him that asks and borrows is a binding duty, and mercy in lending is part of doing no unrighteousness in dealing with the poor. Oppression of the borrower is a wrong that God Himself will answer.