By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph. D.
Professor of Biblical Studies, University of Mobile
PROTECTION
Exodus 22:21–27; Leviticus 19:9–10
God’s instructions to Israel revealed His concern for the most vulnerable among them. In various passages throughout the Torah, the Lord instructed Israel to care for the orphan, the widow, the poor and the stranger. As we consider this topic on the Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, we can also add the unborn, the helplessly infirmed and the aged. These were also addressed in the Pentateuch.
Exploitation (Ex. 22:21–24)
Without property — travelers and sojourners sought places to stay, either for rest or for temporary habitation. They were entirely dependent upon the hospitality of strangers. After the Israelites received their inheritance in the Promised Land, they were prohibited from exploiting temporary residents. Later, in Leviticus 19:33–34, Israel received instruction to love the stranger as they loved themselves. After all, they had been sojourners in Egypt.
Without parents — orphans were to be cared for and to be treated respectfully. The fatherless and orphans suffered from loneliness and were (and are) susceptible to exploitation. Without fathers or men in their extended families, boys were without male role models and girls were without protection. As a result, they were easy prey for roaming marauders and pagan worshippers. The Israelite community was to shield them from exploitation.
Without providers — widows are also vulnerable to abuse. For this reason, Christians were particularly sensitive to meet the needs of widows. In Acts 6, the Jerusalem church ministered to widows.
In 1 Timothy 5, Paul provided instructions for the Ephesian church about widow-care. He wrote that Christians who were unwilling to show compassion for fellow believers, especially their own families, denied their faith by their actions: “he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8).
Lending practices (25–27)
Cash — Israelites were instructed to loan money to fellow believers without charging interest. Those who have finances to lend have been entrusted with it for God’s purposes. This includes providing personal loans without fees. Christians who read this to be an obsolete Old Testament instruction should consider Jesus’ words in Luke 6:30–36.
Collateral — not only were loans to be tendered without interest, but personal belongings offered for collateral against the loan were to be returned to the person receiving the money. Once again, these instructions were intended to protect the vulnerable from financial abuse and exploitation.
Reaping crops (Lev. 19:9–10)
Wealth — once the land was settled and divisions were made, some Israelites would possess fields for crops, while others would not. A few would own property, more would have labor in the fields and the rest would be dependent on the generosity of others for their sustenance.
Workfare — the intent of this instruction was not welfare, but workfare. Rather than being handed food to eat, those who had no personal resources could work the fields to provide for themselves. The edges of the field could be harvested by the poor, and they could pick up the grain that had fallen to the ground during the harvest.
Who? Ruth is an example of one in every category of need mentioned in the Law: poor, widow, fatherless and a resident alien. She did not presume upon someone else to provide her with food. Instead, she worked from daylight to dusk, gleaning in the fields to provide for herself and Naomi.
Why? Human beings are made in the image of God and bear His likeness, so there is inherent dignity in every human life. Our love for God is demonstrated by our love for His image-bearers.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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