An Open Hand

Deuteronomy 15, 24, Numbers 30, 36
 
From  Deuteronomy 15

1. At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.  
2. Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite.
3. He shall not require payment from  his fellow Israelite or brother.
4. You must cancel any debt your brother owes you.
5. There should be no poor among you.    
6. You will lend to many.  
7. Do not be hardhearted.
8. Be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs
9. Give generously to him.
10. Be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
11. Supply him liberally from  your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress.
12. Give to him as the Lord your God has blessed you.
13. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you.
14. That is why I give you this command today.

 
HOW do we respond to these commands? Surely such economics cannot flourish in our world today. How could any lender cancel all of the debts each seven years and stay in business? Why would we be openhanded to the poor? Every person can work to earn a living.
   The underlying promise in this Scripture and elsewhere in the law is of Israel’s future wealth. Even the words “Promise Land” points to an exceptional place to live. Moses repeatedly offers the Lord’s wealth promise as in Deuteronomy 15:4 However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you. Under the LORD God’s sovereign care, Israel was to be a nation physically secure. No one should have been poor if they worked. Yet, there are always circumstances that occur in people’s lives they can’t control. Sickness and disabilities can impoverish one. A generous community was to aid them. God’s “openhanded” blessing, though, would only come when Israel obeyed God’s commands.
   Would Israel reflect God’s gracious redeeming power? Would they become a generous people? Scripture’s evidence tells us Israel did not obey the economic, worship and civic laws. The Lord eventually removed Israel from his promise and from  the land.
   These laws are principles of trusting in God, so we will correctly us our possessions. We must see all we have as God’s gift. There is a time to work and a time to rest, a time to earn and a time to give. The Bible has many verses about the blessings of an open hand and the curse of a closed fist. Know these words. Listen to them and trust the Great Provider.