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Deuteronomy 24 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Just as God showed compassion on you, now you are to show compassion to others.
The last half of Deuteronomy 24 is a “put you in your place” kind of chapter. It is a call to remember who we were before Christ. It’s a series of laws that give practicality to loving God and loving people. What is the summarized message?
- When dealing with your neighbors (literally anyone, as Jesus confirms in the Good Samaritan parable) you should always exercise integrity.
- Do not be greedy, but rather, generous and compassionate. Then people will have gratitude and see that you are a follower of God.
- Remember the poor and treat them with honor and respect.
- Each person is responsible for his or her own sins (see commentary on Deuteronomy 5).
- Treat foreigners and orphans as if they were your own.
After stating these specific social laws, God then gives the “why” for anyone that would still have questions. He instructs His people to remember.
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God set you free; that is why I have given you this command.
Deuteronomy 24:18 GNB
Sometimes remembering is all it takes to shake us from complacency and selfishness. That neighbor, stranger, orphan, foreigner, and poor person used to be YOU! Spiritually, we were all poor, wretched orphans and God adopted us into His family as His own through the blood of Christ. If you have experienced that grace and forgiveness in your life and you remember who you used to be, then naturally you will follow God’s lead and show mercy and integrity toward others. These principles not only pertain to spiritual matters, but they cross over into how we live socially and relationally. Does this describe you today? Are you remembering your former life as you minister to those in need?