Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
God is the true owner and householder of the land, while the people are tenants under His authority. In the same chapter every seventh year is ordained as a sabbatical year when cultivation of the soil is not permitted and the land lies in its spontaneous growth for the benefit of the poor, with free access for strangers and for flocks and herds, to invigorate the worn-out soil. In the same context the fiftieth year is ordained as jubilee. These lessons encourage liberality and overcome stinginess by teaching that it is the Lord's land and He will make it productive for the obedient by blessing their lands, caring for the poor and providing for them by special interposition, with the sixth year under His supervision yielding provision for three years.
The verse forbids ruling over a brother, especially a poor brother, with rigour and requires fearing God in how one treats others. For those in charge this means not oppressing workers or the poor, withholding what is due, or using harsh exacting authority, but dealing in justice and equity from reverence for God. Oppression of the poor is actual robbery that God marks and will in no case tolerate even when human courts do not punish it.
The command belongs to the duties of one to another that are actual practical missionary work and the principles of Christianity, the gospel of the Old Testament. The words given through Moses guide dealing with people in Christ's work, calling management to follow God's direction rather than treat people harshly. Obedience to the verse in 1899 means hearts not full of selfish principles that close the door against brethren working in hard fields when they ask a favor.
God is the true owner and householder of the land, while the people are tenants under His authority. In the same chapter every seventh year is ordained as a sabbatical year when cultivation of the soil is not permitted and the land lies in its spontaneous growth for the benefit of the poor, with free access for strangers and for flocks and herds, to invigorate the worn-out soil. In the same context the fiftieth year is ordained as jubilee. These lessons encourage liberality and overcome stinginess by teaching that it is the Lord's land and He will make it productive for the obedient by blessing their lands, caring for the poor and providing for them by special interposition, with the sixth year under His supervision yielding provision for three years.
The verse forbids ruling over a brother, especially a poor brother, with rigour and requires fearing God in how one treats others. For those in charge this means not oppressing workers or the poor, withholding what is due, or using harsh exacting authority, but dealing in justice and equity from reverence for God. Oppression of the poor is actual robbery that God marks and will in no case tolerate even when human courts do not punish it.
The command belongs to the duties of one to another that are actual practical missionary work and the principles of Christianity, the gospel of the Old Testament. The words given through Moses guide dealing with people in Christ's work, calling management to follow God's direction rather than treat people harshly. Obedience to the verse in 1899 means hearts not full of selfish principles that close the door against brethren working in hard fields when they ask a favor.