What is the meaning of Exodus 22:25? If you lend money “ If you lend money …” (Exodus 22:25a) • The verse opens by assuming that lending will happen. God is not prohibiting loans; He’s guiding the heart behind them. • Throughout Scripture, lending to meet a need is treated as a gracious act—see Deuteronomy 15:7–8 where the Lord commands Israel to “open your hand” to a needy brother, and Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:42, “Give to the one who asks you.” • We are stewards, not owners. Psalm 24:1 reminds us “The earth is the LORD’s,” so lending is simply redistributing what already belongs to Him. to one of My people among you “… to one of My people among you …” (22:25a) • The phrase roots this command inside covenant community life. The Lord expects family-level compassion. • Galatians 6:10 echoes the same priority: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.” • Acts 2:44–45 and Acts 4:34–35 show the early church taking this seriously, selling property so “there was no needy person among them.” who is poor “… who is poor …” (22:25a) • Poverty is not a moral failure but a situational reality God cares about deeply (Proverbs 14:31; James 2:5). • Deuteronomy 15:11 acknowledges, “There will never cease to be poor people in the land,” yet the command is to keep hearts tender and hands open. • Jesus reaffirmed this ongoing need in Mark 14:7, “You will always have the poor with you,” underscoring continual responsibility. you must not act as a creditor to him “… you must not act as a creditor to him …” (22:25b) • The Lord forbids turning a benevolent loan into a business transaction packed with pressure. • Deuteronomy 24:10–11 instructs lenders not to barge into a borrower’s house to seize collateral, protecting dignity. • Nehemiah 5:7 records Nehemiah rebuking nobles for exacting interest and seizing fields, illustrating how “acting as a creditor” destroys community. • Jesus’ parable in Matthew 18:28 portrays the hardness of a servant who grabbed his fellow servant by the throat over a debt—precisely the attitude condemned here. you are not to charge him interest “… you are not to charge him interest.” (22:25b) • Interest on a survival loan exploits weakness. Leviticus 25:35–37 repeats this ban, calling interest “usury.” • Deuteronomy 23:19–20 makes a distinction: interest from foreigners could be permitted, but never from a brother in need. • Psalm 15:5 describes the righteous person as one “who does not lend his money at interest,” highlighting this as a hallmark of integrity. • Ezekiel 18:8, 13 lists interest-taking among sins that bring judgment, showing God’s ongoing concern. • Jesus broadens the heart behind the command in Luke 6:34–35—“lend, expecting nothing in return… and your reward will be great.” summary Exodus 22:25 calls God’s people to compassionate lending that protects the vulnerable. Loans inside the covenant family are meant to lift, not burden; therefore, no predatory stance, no squeezing for profit, and absolutely no interest is allowed. The verse reminds us that possessions are God-given tools for mercy, and withholding mercy misrepresents His generous heart. |
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