“Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates.”
Context and Background: Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and part of the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah. It contains the final speeches of Moses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In this particular verse, Moses is instructing the people of Israel on various aspects of just and righteous living.
Understanding the Verse:
- Oppression of the Hired Servant: The verse begins by prohibiting the oppression of hired servants who are poor and needy. The word “oppress” here refers to mistreating, exploiting, or taking advantage of someone who is in a vulnerable position.
- Poor and Needy: The focus is on individuals who are economically disadvantaged, specifically hired servants. These servants may belong to the Israelites or be foreigners living among them.
- Brethren and Strangers: The verse emphasizes that this command applies to both fellow Israelites (“brethren”) and foreigners (“strangers”) living in the land. It emphasizes equal treatment and care for all individuals, regardless of their social or ethnic background.
Principles and Lessons:
- Compassion and Justice: The verse highlights God’s concern for justice and compassion towards the vulnerable members of society. It teaches that as God’s people, we are called to reflect His character by treating others with fairness, dignity, and kindness.
- Responsibility of Employers: The verse addresses employers and reminds them of their responsibility to treat their hired servants justly. It discourages exploiting the poor and reminds them that everyone deserves fair treatment, regardless of their social status or background.
- Equality and Inclusion: The mention of both brethren and strangers emphasizes that the command applies to all individuals, without distinction. It promotes the idea of inclusivity and reminds the Israelites to treat foreigners living among them with fairness and respect.
Application:
- Fair Wages and Treatment: In our contemporary context, this verse encourages employers to provide fair wages and just working conditions for their employees. It reminds us to consider the needs of the poor and needy, treating them with respect and dignity.
- Social Justice: We are called to be mindful of the marginalized and disadvantaged in our society. This verse challenges us to advocate for social justice, actively working to alleviate poverty and address systemic issues that lead to oppression.
- Loving our Neighbors: This verse extends the command to love our neighbors to include those who are different from us, both socially and culturally. It encourages us to embrace diversity and extend compassion and care to all people.
Remember that studying the Bible should also involve reading the surrounding verses, consulting different translations, and considering other relevant passages to gain a comprehensive understanding of the context and message conveyed.
