Deuteronomy 15

1 septimo anno facies remissionem

2 quae hoc ordine celebrabitur cui debetur aliquid ab amico vel proximo ac fratre suo repetere non poterit quia annus remissionis est Domini

3 a peregrino et advena exiges civem et propinquum repetendi non habes potestatem

4 et omnino indigens et mendicus non erit inter vos ut benedicat tibi Dominus in terra quam traditurus est tibi in possessionem

5 si tamen audieris vocem Domini Dei tui et custodieris universa quae iussit et quae ego hodie praecipio tibi benedicet tibi ut pollicitus est

6 fenerabis gentibus multis et ipse a nullo accipies mutuum dominaberis nationibus plurimis et tui nemo dominabitur

7 si unus de fratribus tuis qui morantur intra portas civitatis tuae in terra quam Dominus Deus tuus daturus est tibi ad paupertatem venerit non obdurabis cor tuum nec contrahes manum

8 sed aperies eam pauperi et dabis mutuum quod eum indigere perspexeris

9 cave ne forte subripiat tibi impia cogitatio et dicas in corde tuo adpropinquat septimus annus remissionis et avertas oculos a paupere fratre tuo nolens ei quod postulat mutuum commodare ne clamet contra te ad Dominum et fiat tibi in peccatum

10 sed dabis ei nec ages quippiam callide in eius necessitatibus sublevandis ut benedicat tibi Dominus Deus tuus in omni tempore et in cunctis ad quae manum miseris

11 non deerunt pauperes in terra habitationis tuae idcirco ego praecipio tibi ut aperias manum fratri tuo egeno et pauperi qui tecum versatur in terra

12 cum tibi venditus fuerit frater tuus hebraeus aut hebraea et sex annis servierit tibi in septimo anno dimittes eum liberum

13 et quem libertate donaveris nequaquam vacuum abire patieris

14 sed dabis viaticum de gregibus et de area et torculari tuo quibus Dominus Deus tuus benedixerit tibi

15 memento quod et ipse servieris in terra Aegypti et liberaverit te Dominus Deus tuus et idcirco ego nunc praecipiam tibi

16 sin autem dixerit nolo egredi eo quod diligat te et domum tuam et bene sibi apud te esse sentiat

17 adsumes subulam et perforabis aurem eius in ianua domus tuae et serviet tibi usque in aeternum ancillae quoque similiter facies

18 non avertes ab eis oculos tuos quando dimiseris eos liberos quoniam iuxta mercedem mercennarii per sex annos servivit tibi ut benedicat tibi Dominus Deus tuus in cunctis operibus quae agis

19 de primogenitis quae nascuntur in armentis et ovibus tuis quicquid sexus est masculini sanctificabis Domino Deo tuo non operaberis in primogenito bovis et non tondebis primogenita ovium

20 in conspectu Domini Dei tui comedes ea per annos singulos in loco quem elegerit Dominus tu et domus tua

21 sin autem habuerit maculam et vel claudum fuerit vel caecum aut in aliqua parte deforme vel debile non immolabitur Domino Deo tuo

22 sed intra portas urbis tuae comedes illud tam mundus quam inmundus similiter vescentur eis quasi caprea et cervo

23 hoc solum observabis ut sanguinem eorum non comedas sed effundas in terram quasi aquam

Deuteronomy 15 Commentary

Chapter 15

The year of release. (1-11) Concerning the release of servants. (12-18) Respecting the firstlings of cattle. (19-23)

Verses 1-11 This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and lays restraints upon the thoughts of the heart. We mistake, if we think thoughts are free from God's knowledge and check. That is a wicked heart indeed, which raises evil thoughts from the good law of God, as theirs did, who, because God had obliged them to the charity of forgiving, denied the charity of giving. Those who would keep from the act of sin, must keep out of their minds the very thought of sin. It is a dreadful thing to have the cry of the poor justly against us. Grudge not a kindness to thy brother; distrust not the providence of God. What thou doest, do freely, ( 2 Corinthians. 9:7 )

Verses 12-18 Here the law concerning Hebrew servants is repeated. There is an addition, requiring the masters to put some small stock into their servants' hands to set up with for themselves, when sent out of their servitude, wherein they had received no wages. We may expect family blessings, the springs of family prosperity, when we make conscience of our duty to our family relations. We are to remember that we are debtors to Divine justice, and have nothing to pay with. That we are slaves, poor, and perishing. But the Lord Jesus Christ, by becoming poor, and by shedding his blood, has made a full and free provision for the payment of our debts, the ransom of our souls, and the supply of all our wants. When the gospel is clearly preached, the acceptable year of the Lord is proclaimed; the year of release of our debts, of the deliverance of our souls, and of obtaining rest in him. And as faith in Christ and love to him prevail, they will triumph over the selfishness of the heart, and over the unkindness of the world, doing away the excuses that rise from unbelief, distrust, and covetousness.

Verses 19-23 Here is a direction what to do with the firstlings. We are not now limited as the Israelites were; we make no difference between a first calf, or lamb, and the rest. Let us then look to the gospel meaning of this law, devoting ourselves and the first of our time and strength to God; and using all our comforts and enjoyments to his praise, and under the direction of his law, as we have them all by his gift.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 15

This chapter treats of a release of debts every seventh year, to which a blessing is promised if attended to, De 15:1-6, which seventh year of release should not hinder lending to a poor man in distress, even though it was nigh at hand, De 15:7-11 and of letting servants go free, whether manservant or maidservant, at the end of six years' servitude, De 15:12-15 but if unwilling to go, and desirous of staying, must have his ear bored through with an awl, and serve to the year of jubilee, De 15:16-18 and of sanctifying and eating the firstlings of the herd and flock where the Lord directs, De 15:19-23.