Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
6/10 Reading Portions: Deuteronomy 15; Psalm 102; Isaiah 42; Revelation 12
“For there will never cease to be poor in the land.” Deuteronomy 15:11
RELEASE
YHVH God commanded that all debts in Israel would be released in the 7th year (Deut 15:1-2), for in doing so (Deut 15:5), the LORD would bless them in the land for, He says, “there will be no poor among you” (Deut 15:4). Ye, a bit later Moses declares that the poor folk would always be in their midst (Deut 15:11). Is this a contradiction in God’s Word? Not at all. Israel has not kept the command of the Sabbath year’s release (Jer 34:10-11, 15-16). This simply demonstrates fallen man’s inability to keep God’s commands, as well as our need for a substitutionary Commandment Keeper, Jesus Christ. It is the Lord Jesus alone who can proclaim liberty to the captives (Isa 61:1; Eph 4:8).
Jesus rebuked greedy Judas Iscariot concerning poverty, telling him,
“For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me.” John 12:8
First of all, the poor, diseased, hungry, etc., will be with us until the return of the Lord Jesus because it gives us an opportunity to present a witness of Christ’s mercy when we help others. More importantly, these conditions continue to exist so God’s redeemed may trust in Christ alone to set things right at His return. Deuteronomy 15 is about the year of release. This foreshadows the release which will take place ultimately in the return of Jesus Christ. Many American organizations have risen of late, desiring to eradicate poverty. They cannot. The poor will never cease from the earth until that Last Day. To think man’s efforts will eliminate poverty implies that Jesus Christ doesn’t need to return; it says He’s unnecessary. By all means keep doing good to the poor, but do so with your heart upon Christ. Our trust must be in Jesus Christ completely and unreservedly, even in the hope of His return in the consummation of all things. Christ Jesus alone is our release. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
We do our best while here on earth,
Yet know impoverish’d lack;
Also, there’ll be disease and dearth,
Until our Lord comes back.
