The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany (OT)

Deuteronomy 15:1-11

“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. ² And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the Lord’s release has been proclaimed. ³ Of a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand shall release. ⁴ But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess— ⁵ if only you will strictly obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today. ⁶ For the Lord your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.

⁷ “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, ⁸ but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. ⁹ Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. ¹⁰ You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. ¹¹ For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

Every seven years all your debts shall disappear. Every 49 years should be a celebration of rest and forgiveness.  These are extensions of the Weekly Sabbath rest. God created all things in six days and rested on the Sabbath day and blessed the seventh day for all yo be able to rest. Therefore, every seven years people should forgive their neighbors debts.

Here in Deuteronomy we learn a great lesson of forgiveness. We also learn about the need to lend and take care of our neighbor. Everyone of us will find ourselves in need from time to time. There will come a time when you could use some help. I don't want you to be afraid to ask. But I also don't want you to refuse to give.

Help your friends and family, when they are in need. Help your enemies when they are in need. Those who owe you money, forgive them. Those who sin against you, forgive them. Those who are in need and have their hand out should be filled. Thus, when you are in need put your hand out, don't be afraid to ask.

Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be open to you. God has forgiven your debt. He has cleansed you from all unrighteousness.