RELEASE FOR DEBT SLAVES THE SPIRIT OF LIBERALITY RELEASE OF DEBT SLAVES GIVING GOD THE BEST DEUTERONOMY 15:1-23

Transcription

1 1 RELEASE FOR DEBT SLAVES THE SPIRIT OF LIBERALITY RELEASE OF DEBT SLAVES GIVING GOD THE BEST DEUTERONOMY 15:1-23

2 2 Text: Deuteronomy 15:1-23, RELEASE FOR DEBT SLAVES THE SPIRIT OF LIBERALITY RELEASE OF DEBT SLAVES GIVING GOD THE BEST 1. At the end of every seven years you must declare a cancellation of debts. 2. This is the nature of the cancellation: Every creditor must remit what he has loaned to another person; he must not force payment from his fellow Israelite, for it is to be recognized as the Lord s cancellation of debts. 3. You may exact payment from a foreigner, but whatever your fellow Israelite owes you, you must remit. 4. However, there should not be any poor among you, for the Lord will surely bless you in the land that he is giving you as an inheritance, 5. if you carefully obey him by keeping all these commandments that I am giving you today. 6. For the Lord your God will bless you just as he has promised; you will lend to many nations but will not borrow from any, and you will rule over many nations but they will not rule over you. 7. If a fellow Israelite from one of your villages in the land that the Lord your God is giving you should be poor,

3 3 you must not harden your heart or be insensitive to his impoverished condition. 8. Instead, you must be sure to open your hand to him and generously lend him whatever he needs. 9. Be careful lest you entertain the wicked thought that the seventh year, the year of cancellation of debts, has almost arrived, and your attitude be wrong toward your impoverished fellow Israelite and you do not lend him anything; he will cry out to the Lord against you and you will be regarded as having sinned. 10. You must by all means lend to him and not be upset by doing it, for because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you attempt. 11. There will never cease to be some poor people in the land; therefore, I am commanding you to make sure you open your hand to your fellow Israelites who are needy and poor in your land. 12. If your fellow Hebrew whether male or female is sold to you and serves you for six years, then in the seventh year you must let that servant go free. 13. If you set them free, you must not send them away empty-handed. 14. You must supply them generously from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress as the Lord your God has blessed you, you must give to them. 15. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore, I am commanding you to do this thing today. 16. However, if the servant says to you, I do not want to leave you, because he loves you and your household, since he is well off with you,

4 you shall take an awl and pierce a hole through his ear to the door. Then he will become your servant permanently (this applies to your female servant as well). 18. You should not consider it difficult to let him go free, for he will have served you for six years, twice the time of a hired worker; the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. 19. You must set apart for the Lord your God every firstborn male born to your herds and flocks. You must not work the firstborn of your bulls or shear the firstborn of your flocks. 20. You and your household must eat them annually before the Lord your God in the place he chooses. 21. If they have any kind of blemish lameness, blindness, or anything else you may not offer them as a sacrifice to the Lord your God. 22. You may eat it in your villages, whether you are ritually impure or clean, just as you would eat a gazelle or an ibex. 23. However, you must not eat its blood; you must pour it out on the ground like water. (NET) Introduction: I. Main points:... A. Release for debt slaves (1-6) 1. Debts canceled every seven years. B. The spirit of liberality (7-11)

5 Compassion for the poor. C. Release of debt slaves (12-18) 1. Slaves released in the seventh year. 2. Provisions for slaves who wished to remain. D. Giving God the best (19-23) II. Key quote:... A. Deuteronomy 15:15, Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore, I am commanding you to do this thing today. (NET) Commentary: Release for Debt Slaves Deuteronomy 15:1-6, At the end of every seven years you must declare a cancellation of debts. This is the nature of the cancellation: Every creditor must remit what he has loaned to another person; he must not force payment from his fellow Israelite, for it is to be recognized as the Lord s cancellation of debts. You may exact payment from a foreigner, but whatever your fellow Israelite owes you, you must remit. However, there should not be any poor among you, for the Lord will surely bless you in the land that he is giving you as an inheritance, if you carefully obey him by keeping all these commandments

6 6 that I am giving you today. For the Lord your God will bless you just as he has promised; you will lend to many nations but will not borrow from any, and you will rule over many nations but they will not rule over you. (NET) I. Release for debt slaves. (1-6) A. The release of debts every seven years was God s method of addressing long term economic hardships. This allowed poor people to avoid the perpetual bondage of debt and gave them the opportunity to start anew. 1. This was the Lord s cancellation of debt. B. This followed the holy cycle of six and seven. 1. Work six days and rest on the seventh. a. Genesis 2:2-3, By the seventh day God finished the work that he had been doing, and he ceased on the seventh day all the work that he had been doing. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he ceased all the work that he had been doing in creation. (NET) b. Exodus 20:9-10, For six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; on it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your cattle, or the

7 7 resident foreigner who is in your gates. (NET) c. Exodus 23:12, For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, in order that your ox and your donkey may rest and that your female servant s son and any hired help may refresh themselves. (NET) 2. Work the fields for six years and let them lie fallow the seventh. a. Exodus 23:10-11, For six years you are to sow your land and gather in its produce. But in the seventh year you must let it lie fallow and leave it alone so that the poor of your people may eat, and what they leave any animal in the field may eat; you must do likewise with your vineyard and your olive grove. (NET) C. Elimination of debt occurred at the same time the fields were left fallow. 1. This kept lenders from foreclosing on farmers during the time they were without crops to sell. D. The landowner was allowed to collect payment from a resident foreigner.

8 8 E. God s plan for blessing the Israelites was to be so plentiful that poverty would be non-existent in their land. 1. The caveat was that they had to obey His commands. F. The Israelites were to be so blessed that they would have enough wealth to lend to other nations. G. They were warned not to borrow from other nations. 1. The borrower becomes a slave to the lender. 2. If the Israelites became borrowers they would be placing themselves in bondage to the lender. a. Proverbs 22:7, The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. (NET) 3. After bringing the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, God did not want them to become slaves to another nation through debt. The Spirit of Liberality Deuteronomy 15:7-11, If a fellow Israelite from one of your villages in the land that the Lord your God is giving you should be poor, you must not harden your heart or be insensitive to his impoverished condition. Instead, you must be sure to open your hand to him and generously lend him whatever he needs. Be careful lest you entertain

9 9 the wicked thought that the seventh year, the year of cancellation of debts, has almost arrived, and your attitude be wrong toward your impoverished fellow Israelite and you do not lend him anything; he will cry out to the Lord against you and you will be regarded as having sinned. You must by all means lend to him and not be upset by doing it, for because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you attempt. There will never cease to be some poor people in the land; therefore, I am commanding you to make sure you open your hand to your fellow Israelites who are needy and poor in your land. (NET) I. The spirit of liberality (7-11) A. The Israelites were commanded that they were to show compassion toward their neighbors who were poor. 1. They were not to act hard heartedly toward them or be insensitive to their misfortune, but to generously help them. a. Psalm 112:9, He generously gives to the needy; his integrity endures. He will be vindicated and honored. (NET) b. Proverbs 31:20, She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy. (NET) c. Luke 3:10-11, So the crowds were asking him, What then should we do? John

10 10 answered them, The person who has two tunics must share with the person who has none, and the person who has food must do likewise. (NET) d. Galatians 2:10, They requested only that we remember the poor, the very thing I also was eager to do. (NET) e. Galatians 6:10, So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith. (NET) f. Ephesians 4:28, The one who steals must steal no longer; rather he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need. (NET) B. The Israelites were warned not to refuse aid to the needy as the seventh year and the cancellation of debts approached. 1. The lender was to help in time of need without thought of whether he would be repaid or not. 2. Helping the poor was to be purely altruistic, not for monetary gain. C. God graciously pours out His blessings on His people and He expects them to share these blessings with others.

11 Proverbs 22:9, A generous person will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. (NET) 2. Psalm 41:1, How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly! When trouble comes, the Lord delivers him. (NET) 3. Acts 20:35, By all these things, I have shown you that by working in this way we must help the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (NET) D. There will never cease to be some poor peoples in the land (verse 11) 1. Acts of charitable giving and caring for the indigent will never end, as there will always be people that require assistance. a. Matthew 26:11, For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me! (NET) 2. Farmers were to leave the gleanings in the fields and the vineyards were not to be picked bare. These were to be left for the poor to gather. a. Leviticus 19:9-10, When you gather in the harvest of your land, you must not

12 12 completely harvest the corner of your field, and you must not gather up the gleanings of your harvest. You must not pick your vineyard bare, and you must not gather up the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You must leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God. (NET) b. Leviticus 23:22, When you gather in the harvest of your land, you must not completely harvest the corner of your field, and you must not gather up the gleanings of your harvest. You must leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God. (NET) c. Deuteronomy 24:19-21, Whenever you reap your harvest in your field and leave some unraked grain there, you must not return to get it; it should go to the resident foreigner, orphan, and widow so that the Lord your God may bless all the work you do. When you beat your olive tree you must not repeat the procedure; the remaining olives belong to the resident foreigner, orphan, and widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard you must not do so a second time; they should go to the resident foreigner, orphan, and widow. (NET)

13 13 d. This would supply the people with food that they could work to gather and not have to beg. Release of Debt Slaves Deuteronomy 15:12-18, If your fellow Hebrew whether male or female is sold to you and serves you for six years, then in the seventh year you must let that servant go free. If you set them free, you must not send them away empty-handed. You must supply them generously from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress as the Lord your God has blessed you, you must give to them. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore, I am commanding you to do this thing today. However, if the servant says to you, I do not want to leave you, because he loves you and your household, since he is well off with you, you shall take an awl and pierce a hole through his ear to the door. Then he will become your servant permanently (this applies to your female servant as well). You should not consider it difficult to let him go free, for he will have served you for six years, twice the time of a hired worker; the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. (NET) I. Release of debt slaves (12-18) A. Slaves that worked for six years were to be set free in the seventh year. 1. Leviticus 25:40-41, He must be with you as a hired worker, as a resident foreigner; he must

14 14 serve with you until the year of jubilee, but then he may go free, he and his children with him, and may return to his family and to the property of his ancestors. (NET) B. The law of freeing slaves or manumission applied only to Hebrew slaves, both male and female, who were indentured to the owner for a six year period. 1. Exodus 21:2, If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he will go out free without paying anything. (NET) C. This law prohibited the perpetual enslavement of fellow Hebrews and gave them legal release from their bondage. They were always to remember that they had been slaves in Egypt, and it was by the power of God that they were set free. 1. Exodus 13:14, In the future, when your son asks you What is this? you are to tell him, With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the land of slavery. (NET) D. The Israelites could acquire slaves in a number of ways: by purchasing them from neighboring nations. a. Leviticus 25:44, As for your male and female slaves who may belong to you you

15 15 may buy male and female slaves from the nations all around you. (NET) 2. currently owned female slaves giving birth. a. Exodus 21:4, If his master gave him a wife, and she bore sons or daughters, the wife and the children will belong to her master, and he will go out by himself. (NET) 3. a person found guilty of theft and unable to pay restitution to the owner may be sold into slavery to repay the debt. a. Exodus 22:3b, A thief must surely make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he will be sold for his theft. (NET) 4. slaves could be passed on to children as an inheritance. a. Leviticus 25:46a, You may give them as inheritance to your children after you to possess as property. (NET) E. Slaves comprised a sizeable percentage of the population of the ancient world. 1. It has been estimated that in 1400 B.C., slaves comprised thirty (30) percent of the Roman empire and eighteen (18) percent of the Egyptian population.

16 16 F. The freed slaves were to be given compensation to allow them to restart their lives as free men. G. The payment given to the slave was also to remind the master that they were once slaves in Egypt and were given plunder as they left. 1. Exodus 12:35-36, Now the Israelites had done as Moses told them they had requested from the Egyptians silver and gold items and clothing. The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and they gave them whatever they wanted, and so they plundered Egypt. (NET) H. The recompense given to the freed slave was to be generously given from the crops, flocks and vineyards of the master. 1. Colossians 4:1, Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven. (NET) I. If a slave preferred to stay with his master instead of being released, he could become his servant permanently. 1. The master would make an awl and pierce the ear of the servant to the door of the house. a. Exodus 21:5-6, But if the servant should declare, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free, 6 then his

17 17 master must bring him to the judges, and he will bring him to the door or the doorposts, and his master will pierce his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him forever. (NET) 2. The scar in the earlobe declared that the servant had surrendered his independence to remain with his master. Giving God the Best Deuteronomy 15:19-23, You must set apart for the Lord your God every firstborn male born to your herds and flocks. You must not work the firstborn of your bulls or shear the firstborn of your flocks. You and your household must eat them annually before the Lord your God in the place he chooses. If they have any kind of blemish lameness, blindness, or anything else you may not offer them as a sacrifice to the Lord your God. You may eat it in your villages, whether you are ritually impure or clean, just as you would eat a gazelle or an ibex. However, you must not eat its blood; you must pour it out on the ground like water. (NET) I. Giving God the best (19-23) A. The first family in the Bible offered the best of their first fruits in thanks to God. 1. Genesis 4:1-4, Now the man had marital relations with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. Then she said,

18 18 I have created a man just as the Lord did! Then she gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel took care of the flocks, while Cain cultivated the ground. At the designated time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock even the fattest of them. And the Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering, (NET) B. Every firstborn male of man and beast became consecrated to God in remembrance of their deliverance from the angel of death. 1. Exodus 12:12-13, I will pass through the land of Egypt in the same night, and I will attack all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of humans and of animals, and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, so that when I see the blood I will pass over you, and this plague will not fall on you to destroy you when I attack the land of Egypt. (NET) 2. Exodus 13:12, then you must give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. Every firstling of a beast that you have the males will be the Lord s. (NET) C. The firstborn of clean animals was to be presented to the Lord when it was eight days old.

19 If it was without blemish, it was sacrificed to the Lord. a. Exodus 22:30, You must also do this for your oxen and for your sheep; seven days they may remain with their mothers, but give them to me on the eighth day. (NET) D. As the firstborn of the flocks and herds, they belonged to the Lord and were not to be sheared or worked. 1. Because of their status as firstborn, they were not to be treated as ordinary livestock. E. If the firstborn animal had an imperfection that rendered it unacceptable as a sacrifice to the Lord it was permissible to consume its meat just as they would have eaten wild game. 1. Deuteronomy 15:22, You may eat it in your villages, whether you are ritually impure or clean, just as you would eat a gazelle or an ibex. (NET) F. The importance of the status of the firstborn son is repeated throughout the Bible. 1. The nation of Israel was God s firstborn. a. Exodus 4:22, You must say to Pharaoh, Thus says the Lord, Israel is my son, my firstborn, (NET)

20 A firstborn son was allotted a greater inheritance. a. Deuteronomy 21:16-17, In the day he divides his inheritance he must not appoint as firstborn the son of the favorite wife in place of the other wife s son who is actually the firstborn. Rather, he must acknowledge the son of the less loved wife as firstborn and give him the double portion of all he has, for that son is the beginning of his father s procreative power to him should go the right of the firstborn. (NET) b. 2 Chronicles 21:3, Their father gave them many presents, including silver, gold, and other precious items, along with fortified cities in Judah. But he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn. 3. A firstborn son had authority over his siblings. a. Genesis 27:29, May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. You will be lord over your brothers, and the sons of your mother will bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed. (NET) G. The most important firstborn son is Jesus Christ. God sent His one and only son into the world to be the only acceptable sacrifice, pure and spotless, able to redeem man

21 21 from his sinful nature and restore him to a right and proper relationship with God the Father. 1. Luke 2:9-11, An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. (NET) 2. Matthew 3:16-17, After Jesus was baptized, just as he was coming up out of the water, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming on him. And a voice from heaven said, This is my one dear Son; in him I take great delight. (NET) 3. John 3:16-17, For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. (NET) 4. Hebrews 5:8-9, Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered. And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, (NET)

22 22 Conclusion: 5. 1 Timothy 1:14-15, and our Lord s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners and I am the worst of them! (NET) I. God is teaching the Israelites and us that all people are to be valued equally as individuals regardless of status. A. He instructed the people to show concern for the welfare of all, even debtors and slaves. 1. Galatians 6:9-10, So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith. (NET) 2. Isaiah 58:7, I want you to share your food with the hungry and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people. When you see someone naked, clothe him! Don t turn your back on your own flesh and blood! (NET) 3. Leviticus 25:35, If your brother becomes impoverished and is indebted to you, you must support him; he must live with you like a foreign resident. (NET)

23 Proverbs 19:17, The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord, and the Lord will repay him for his good deed. (NET) 5. Proverbs 22:9, A generous person will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. (NET) 6. Proverbs 28:27, The one who gives to the poor will not lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses. (NET) B. God was not condoning the practice of slavery. He wanted the Israelites to remember how harsh their bondage in Egypt had been. He wanted His people to treat their servants in a manner that reflected His love for His people. C. Debts were to be canceled at the beginning of the seventh year to insure that indentured servants would become free and not remain slaves for life. D. The statement in verses 4-5 which claims that there will be no more poor among the Israelites indicates how things could be if the Israelites were obedient to God and followed His commandments. E. Verse 11 states that there will always be some poor among the Israelites. There will always be people who need assistance and it is our responsibility to provide for them.

24 As Christians we are called to be compassionate and share our blessings with those in need. a. Matthew 25:34-40, Then the king will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the king will answer them, I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me. (NET) b. 2 Corinthians 8:1-3, Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. For I testify, they gave

25 25 according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, (NET) c. Hebrews 13:16, And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. (NET) d. Galatians 6:10, So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith. (NET) e. Psalm 41:1, How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly! When trouble comes, the Lord delivers him. (NET) f. Psalm 112:9, He generously gives to the needy; his integrity endures. He will be vindicated and honored. (NET) g. Acts 20:35, By all these things, I have shown you that by working in this way we must help the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (NET) F. Hebrew slaves had rights that were not extended to foreigners. 1. Their indebtedness and servitude were terminated at the beginning of the seventh year.

26 They could remain with their master if they agreed to relinquish their right to freedom. II. Giving God the Best. A. We acknowledge that the Lord our God is the creator of all things. All that we have is given to us to manage as good stewards. It is all His. 1. Luke 12:48b, From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked. (NET) 2. Matthew 25:20-21, The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more. His master answered, Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master. (NET) 3. 1 Peter 4:10, Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. (NET) B. Our offering that we return to Him is an acknowledgement of His blessings.

27 Chronicles 29:14-15, But who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much? Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours. For we are resident foreigners and nomads in your presence, like all our ancestors; our days are like a shadow on the earth, without security. (NET) C. As our blessings increase, so should our offerings of gratitude to Him increase. 1. Exodus 35:22, They came, men and women alike, all who had willing hearts. They brought brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments, all kinds of gold jewelry, and everyone came who waved a wave offering of gold to the Lord. (NET) 2. Malachi 1:14, There will be harsh condemnation for the hypocrite who has a valuable male animal in his flock but vows and sacrifices something inferior to the Lord. For I am a great king, says the Lord who rules over all, and my name is awesome among the nations. (NET) 3. Deuteronomy 16:17, Every one of you must give as you are able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you. (NET) D. The greatest offering was that of Jesus Christ on the cross, the only perfect sacrifice, offered once for all.

28 Hebrews 10:10, By his will we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (NET) 2. 1 John 2:2, and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world. (NET) 3. Ephesians 5:2, and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. (NET) 4. Romans 6:22-23, But now, freed from sin and enslaved to God, you have your benefit leading to sanctification, and the end is eternal life. For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NET) E. God commanded the Israelites to always remember that they had been slaves in Egypt before he redeemed them. F. We are to always remember that we too were slaves, slaves to sin and death until we were redeemed by the blood of the lamb, Christ Jesus Peter 1:18-19, You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed not by perishable things like silver or gold, but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ. (NET)

29 Timothy 1:9-10, He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel! (NET) 3. Romans 8:38-39, For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NET)

30 30 Questions on Deuteronomy 15: Lenders were instructed to forgive debt at the start of 2. This debt forgiveness was known as 3. In the seventh year lenders were allowed to collect debts from 4. (a) The elimination of debts occurred at the same time that

31 31 (b) Explain why these two events occurred simultaneously. 5. Explain why God said, There should not be any poor among you. (Verse 4) 6. Why did God prohibit the Israelites from borrowing from other nations? 7. Was it acceptable for the Israelites to lend money to other nations?

32 Was it alright to refuse a loan to a needy person because the seventh year and the cancellation was approaching? Explain. 9. Slaves were to be set free at the beginning of the seventh year. Did this include female slaves? 10. In what ways were farmers commanded to help the poor and needy? 11. Explain why God wanted the freed slaves to be well supplied from the master s crops or flocks.

33 Explain the process by which a slave could remain with his master. 13. Did the rules for releasing slaves apply to resident foreigners who were slaves? 14. The first family recorded in the Bible to offer God their firstfruits was 15. What was the significance of offering the firstborn male, man or animal to God?

34 The greatest sacrifice of a firstborn son was