Leviticus 25:38, commentary and pictures

The Speaker is Christ enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, the same Teacher who spoke the sermon on the mount and the beatitudes. He declares Himself sovereign over the whole earth, Householder and owner of the land of Canaan, with Israel as His tenants. His authority rests on His identity and covenant acts, that He brought Israel forth out of Egypt to give them Canaan and to be their God. Remembering that deliverance, gift, and covenant to be their God is the reason for kindness without exploitation toward the needy.

Ownership is taught through the sabbath for the land, for every seventh sabbatical year cultivation stops and agricultural work ceases. The soil rests and lies in spontaneous growth to invigorate worn-out soil, and its growth is open to the poor, strangers, livestock, flocks and herds. The fiftieth jubilee year teaches the same ownership. When obeyed, God under His supervision makes the land productive by His blessing, so that the sixth year yields provision for three years. This is a constant lesson that He is Householder, taking care of the poor and making provision for them by special interposition.

The poor brother, stranger, or sojourner is to be relieved so he can live with them and continue living among them. Money or food lent to him is to bear no usury or increase, with fear of God, and there is to be no ruling over him with rigor or oppression. The poor in want and suffering are to be helped so they may live, not oppressed for gain, revealing how tenderly God regards them. Justice, mercy, and impartiality are required toward the poor, the fatherless, the widow, and the stranger, reflecting God's own character in executing their judgment and supplying their need.

These are principles identical to those given on Mount Sinai and on the mount of beatitudes, resting on love to God and love to neighbor on which hang all the law and the prophets. They are the gospel of the Old Testament in actual practical missionary work and duty of one to another, written for ancient Israel and for Christians now. They encourage liberality and overcome stinginess, requiring unselfish help to brethren working in hard fields instead of selfish closed hearts. Zacchaeus carried out their spirit when he gave half his goods to the poor. Oppression of the poor by usury, fraud, or withholding what is due is actual robbery that God marks and in no case tolerates, even when human courts do not punish it.

Helping a brother falling into decay tests what is in the heart and must be met with decided and immediate effort rather than cold-hearted indifference passing by on the other side. Truth cannot be safely swerved from and justice cannot be violated in such cases. Working contrary to God's special directions brings the result back upon the disobedient, because whatever dishonors God in conduct cannot benefit.