The Care of the Poor and the Stranger
Thoughts on Leviticus 19:9-10
by Philip du Nard
Leviticus 19:9-10 reads thus: And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.
It is apparent that a percentage of the population of Israel would be composed of “strangers” or foreigners and by the nature of things, like the poor of the land, would be somewhat at a disadvantage. The above scripture sets forth God’s consideration of their situation and how Israel was to deal with it.
In our time, we don’t have the predominantly agricultural society that existed in Bible times but a few thoughts come to mind that could be considered relevant to the present day. Israel was to leave a percentage of their harvest for the poor and the stranger. There doesn’t appear to be any civil penalty for not doing so. The declaration, “I am the Lord your God,” would appear to be the sole incentive for a God fearing populace to comply. Malachi 3:5 indicates that God will not overlook neglect in this area indefinitely and the time will come when He will be “a swift witness” against those who “...turn aside the stranger from his right.” But it is apparent that these groups still had to go into the fields and work for it in some way. They also had to have ready access to it. Presumably this would be done with the knowledge and permission of the landholder. They were not entitled to the “firstfruits” but what was left. If the crop failed, it failed for the poor and the stranger as well. There was to be enough support to show compassion but not enough to provide an incentive for abuse of the system that would cause people to become cynical and harden their hearts toward the poor and the stranger.
Perhaps finding the proper balance here is easier said than done but this is the principle set forth in God’s Holy Word.
Thoughts on Leviticus 19:9-10
by Philip du Nard
Leviticus 19:9-10 reads thus: And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.
It is apparent that a percentage of the population of Israel would be composed of “strangers” or foreigners and by the nature of things, like the poor of the land, would be somewhat at a disadvantage. The above scripture sets forth God’s consideration of their situation and how Israel was to deal with it.
In our time, we don’t have the predominantly agricultural society that existed in Bible times but a few thoughts come to mind that could be considered relevant to the present day. Israel was to leave a percentage of their harvest for the poor and the stranger. There doesn’t appear to be any civil penalty for not doing so. The declaration, “I am the Lord your God,” would appear to be the sole incentive for a God fearing populace to comply. Malachi 3:5 indicates that God will not overlook neglect in this area indefinitely and the time will come when He will be “a swift witness” against those who “...turn aside the stranger from his right.” But it is apparent that these groups still had to go into the fields and work for it in some way. They also had to have ready access to it. Presumably this would be done with the knowledge and permission of the landholder. They were not entitled to the “firstfruits” but what was left. If the crop failed, it failed for the poor and the stranger as well. There was to be enough support to show compassion but not enough to provide an incentive for abuse of the system that would cause people to become cynical and harden their hearts toward the poor and the stranger.
Perhaps finding the proper balance here is easier said than done but this is the principle set forth in God’s Holy Word.