In Deuteronomy 15, Moses reiterates the law of debt cancellation. In this law, every 7 years the Israelites had to release the debt of any fellow Israelite. Our master showed us in Matthew 5 that every law of Moses should be taken seriously. We shouldn’t discard them. Instead, we should seek to understand the righteous principle Father is conveying with the law.
The law of debt cancellation is based on the principle of forgiveness. In particular, it shows how Father doesn’t want us to hold any grudges against anyone if they did something that deserves it. If someone owes us a financial debt, we are entitled to receive the amount owed plus interest in some cases. When people do things to offend us the offense is like a debt. The offender owes us an apology. They owe us an action to correct the wrong they did to us.
In Deuteronomy 15:11 says “For the poor will never cease from the land.” This means there will always be someone around who will offend us or do something that annoys us. Always. Moses commanded the Israelites to open their hands wide to their brothers, the poor and the needy. This represents us having a heart to look to forgive people. To seek not to hold a grudge toward those who offend us.
Does this mean that you should let people walk all over you? Does this mean you should not avoid situations where you know someone will hurt you or abuse you? Of course not. That’s like intentionally becoming a poor person in the context of Deuteronomy 15. Moses says in the following.
For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.
Deuteronomy 15:6 NKJV
In Deuteronomy 15:6 Moses conveys Father desire to prospers us. To obtain prosperity, we have to make prospers wise decisions that keep us from proverty. To me putting yourself in abusive or harmful situations is like making a decision you know that can make you poor instead of prosperous. However, since we live in a land where there will always be poor people, you wil not be able to avoid being in a situation where you are offended or mistreated or hurt.
The remedy is preparing your heart to forgive all who offend you. Set your mind on not holding a grudge. Father is making you rich in peace, joy and love so that you can share it with those who don’t have them. Their mistreatment of you are the signs of their lack of peace, joy and love. But you will help them overcome by showing them the kindness they lack.