_A.M. 2553. B.C. 1451._ Orders concerning the release of debts every seventh year, Deuteronomy 15:1. Concerning lending, Deuteronomy 15:7. Concerning the release of servants, Deuteronomy 15:12. Concerning the firstlings, Deuteronomy 15:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
_At the end of every seven years_ When the seventh year comes, which is the end or last of the seven, Deuteronomy 15:9; Deuteronomy 15:12. This termed here _the year of release_, was the sabbatical year spoken of Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:4. The wisdom of the Hebrew constitution provided for a rel... [ Continue Reading ]
_Every creditor that lendeth aught shall release it_ This cannot be meant of money lent to those who had borrowed it for the purchase of lands, trade, or other improvements, and who were able to pay; for nothing could have been more absurd than to have extinguished such debts, whereby the borrower w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Save when there shall be no poor_ The words may be rendered thus, as in the margin of our Bibles: _To the end that there be no poor among you._ And so they contain a reason of this law; namely, that none be empoverished and ruined by a rigid exaction of debts. _For the Lord shall greatly bless thee... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt not shut thy hand from thy poor brother_ Because this law might tend to make some people cautious and niggardly in lending to the poor, as being assured they should lose the debt at the seventh year, if it were not paid before; or, upon this account, might make them sparing of their char... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beware_ Suppress the first risings of such uncharitableness. _ And thine eye be evil_ Envious, unmerciful, unkind, as this phrase means, Proverbs 23:6; that is, thou grudge to relieve him. The opposite to this is a _bountiful eye, Proverbs 22:9_. _And it be sin unto thee_ Charged upon thee as a si... [ Continue Reading ]
_The poor shall never cease_ God, by his providence, will so order it, partly for the punishment of your disobedience, and partly for the trial and exercise of your obedience to him, and charity to your brother.... [ Continue Reading ]
_If thy brother be sold_ Either by himself or his parents, or as a criminal. _Six years_ To be computed from the beginning of his servitude, which is everywhere limited to the space of six years.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord redeemed thee_ And brought thee out with riches, which, because they would not, God gave thee as a just recompense for thy service; and therefore thou shalt follow his example, and send out thy servant furnished with all convenient provisions. _For ever_ All the time of his life, or, at le... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the firstling males thou shalt sanctify_ Giving them to God on the eighth day. And thou shalt do no work with the female firstlings of the cow, nor shear those of the sheep. Even these must be offered to God as peace-offerings, or used in a religious feast. _Year by year_ Namely, in the solemn... [ Continue Reading ]