Deuteronomy 24:6-9 – Let’s be considerate

Clearly, the instructions given in the book of Deuteronomy were based on the Ten Commandments. In it, God was showing His people how each of the laws given should be applied in His redeemed community. Everyone in God’s community must not only live for himself or herself, but everyone must also learn to live for others. It means therefore that everyone should live considerately and not exploit those less fortunate and in need. Each must live in such a way that will not be injurious to the others in the community. We can say that Deuteronomy 24:6-9 is a call to considerate living.

Verse 6 called for God’s people to be compassionate. The scenario presupposed that there would be times when someone from among them might approach another to borrow something to sustain his life. The lender would usually take something from the borrower as collateral for the loan. The former in this case was forbidden to take the mill or the millstone as a pledge. To take away his mill or millstone would imply taking away the means of living of the borrower. He would not be able to grind grain to make his bread. That would leave him in a worse condition than before. This was something only a heartless person would do, but God’s people should be known for their compassion, especially towards those in the same household of God.

Verse 7 called for God’s people to respect the lives of others. They were forbidden to kidnap their fellowmen for any reason. Kidnapping in this context was either to enslave a person or to sell him off as a slave. In doing so a kidnapper would be dehumanizing someone by treating him as a commodity and not a person made in God’s image. So serious was such an offense that God demanded the kidnapper to be sentenced to death. This was to be an example to others not to commit such a serious crime.  

Verses 8-9 called for God’s people to be thoughtful, especially in health. In those days leprosy was thought to be a contagious disease and when one had contracted it, he was expected to stay outside the camp. To return to the community, he would need the affirmation of the priest to prove that he had recovered from the condition and was healed. Mariam, the sister of Moses, was used as an illustration of what they ought to do.

Compassion, respect, and thoughtfulness are three vital ingredients to build a gracious community. These were the qualities that Jesus our Lord had promoted in the sermon of the Mount. If the church is to be an effective witness in the community, each of us must seek to be a compassionate, respectful, and thoughtful person. To be such a person is a choice we can make. So each one of us must choose to be a considerate person and become a better witness of the Lord.