Why does God prohibit charging interest among Israelites in Deuteronomy 23:19? The Command in Focus “You shall not charge your brother interest on money, food, or anything that may earn interest.” (Deuteronomy 23:19) The Immediate Setting - Spoken to Israel as a redeemed, covenant family (Deuteronomy 7:6–8). - Verse 20 permits interest on a “foreigner,” highlighting that the ban is specifically family-oriented. - God is shaping an economy of mutual care inside His people, distinct from surrounding nations. Protecting the Vulnerable - Interest multiplies hardship for the one already in need. - Exodus 22:25: “If you lend money to My people… you are not to charge him interest.” - Leviticus 25:35–37 links interest-free loans to keeping a poor brother from falling into slavery. Result: no Israelite should profit from another’s distress. Cultivating Generosity and Trust in God - Deuteronomy 15:7–11 commands openhanded giving, promising God’s blessing. - By removing interest, God redirects the lender’s hope away from gain and toward divine reward (cf. Proverbs 19:17). - The law trains hearts to mirror the Lord, “gracious and compassionate” (Psalm 103:8). Preserving Covenant Brotherhood - Everyone stands on equal footing under God’s redemption (Leviticus 25:42). - Interest would create tiers of power and dependency, undermining family solidarity. - Nehemiah 5:7–13 shows the community repenting of interest because it fractured unity. Curbing Exploitation and Greed - Proverbs 28:8 warns that profit from interest “accumulates for one who is kind to the poor.” - Ezekiel 18:8, 13 lists interest-taking among sins worthy of judgment. - The prohibition checks the natural drift toward self-enrichment at another’s expense. Reflecting God’s Own Character of Mercy - Psalm 15:5 praises the one “who does not lend at interest,” describing the person who may dwell with God. - Israel’s economic life becomes a lived parable of divine grace: God freely forgave their debt of sin; they now freely relieve each other’s debts. Why Interest from Foreigners Was Allowed - Commercial dealings with outsiders followed common market practice; profit was legitimate in that sphere. - Inside Israel, however, loans were acts of mercy, not business ventures—hence the distinction. Takeaway Principles - People redeemed by grace treat fellow believers with grace, not profit-seeking. - Wealth is stewarded to lift others, not leverage them. - Trust in the Lord’s provision frees His people to be radically generous. |
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