Topical Bible: The Poor: Shut not the Hand Against

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The biblical mandate to care for the poor is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of generosity, compassion, and justice. The phrase "shut not the hand against" the poor underscores the call to actively engage in acts of kindness and support for those in need.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for the treatment of the poor, with numerous laws and teachings that instruct the Israelites to care for the less fortunate. In Deuteronomy 15:7-8 , the command is clear: "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs."

This passage highlights the expectation of open-handed generosity, reflecting God's own provision and care for His people. The Israelites were reminded that their own prosperity was a gift from God, and they were to mirror His generosity by supporting those in need.

The Year of Jubilee and Sabbatical Year

The Year of Jubilee and the Sabbatical Year further illustrate God's concern for the poor. Every seventh year, debts were to be forgiven, and slaves were to be set free (Deuteronomy 15:1-2). The Year of Jubilee, occurring every fiftieth year, was a time when land was returned to its original owners, ensuring that poverty did not become a permanent condition (Leviticus 25:10).

These practices were designed to prevent the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few and to provide opportunities for the poor to regain their footing. They served as a reminder that the land and its produce ultimately belonged to God, and His people were to steward these resources with justice and mercy.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also speaks to the treatment of the poor. Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse emphasizes that acts of charity are not only beneficial to the recipient but are also seen and rewarded by God Himself.

Prophetic Calls for Justice

The prophets frequently called out the injustices faced by the poor and condemned those who exploited or neglected them. Isaiah 58:6-7 challenges the people to true fasting, which includes "to share your bread with the hungry and to bring the homeless poor into your home; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh and blood."

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus continues this emphasis on caring for the poor. In the Sermon on the Mount, He teaches, "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you" (Matthew 5:42). Jesus' ministry was marked by compassion for the marginalized, and He often associated with those whom society deemed unworthy.

The early church followed Jesus' example, as seen in Acts 4:34-35 , where believers shared their possessions so that "there was no needy one among them." This communal approach to resources ensured that the needs of the poor were met within the Christian community.

Apostolic Instructions

The apostles continued to instruct the church on the importance of caring for the poor. In Galatians 2:10 , Paul recounts how the leaders of the Jerusalem church urged him to "remember the poor," a directive he was eager to follow. James 2:15-16 warns against empty faith that does not result in action: "If a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for their physical needs, what good is that?"

Conclusion

The biblical call to "shut not the hand against" the poor is a profound expression of God's heart for justice and mercy. It challenges believers to reflect God's character through tangible acts of love and generosity, ensuring that the needs of the poor are met with dignity and compassion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 15:7
If there be among you a poor man of one of your brothers within any of your gates in your land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Rebuke against Extortion
... thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand ... By taking mortgages on the
lands of the poor, they had ... and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

A Caution to Stir up to Watch against Sin
... Wherefore beware, against it shut the door; If not, it will ... Take heed then, hold
it, crush it at the door, It comes to rob thee, and to make thee poor. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a caution to stir up.htm

Against Embellishing the Body.
... and the day they bestow on the toilet shut up in their ... Unawares the poor wretches
destroy their own beauty, by the ... For he who does not escape notice is wont to ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii against embellishing the body.htm

Letter Lxi (AD 1138) to Louis the Younger, King of the French.
... with the tears of the afflicted, knocking at heaven's door with the cries of the
poor, the prayers of ... God will not forget to be gracious, nor shut up His ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter lxi a d 1138 to.htm

The Glorious Gospel
... I know how you would put your hand against your ear, and look ... the objects of his
love; but beggars and the poor shall taste ... Yet my text does not shut out these ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the glorious gospel.htm

Testimonies. 1. Of the Benefit of Good Works and Mercy.
... present worthy offerings to God; remember that death delayeth not." [4158] Also
in the same place: "Shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and this ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/testimonies 1 of the benefit.htm

"Because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God, for it is not ...
... and dispose himself, and all in him, for poor man's use ... It is a dungeon, a pit so
shut up and enclosed ... Do not the conversations of men display a banner against ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xx because the carnal.htm

A Treatise against the Heretic Novatian by an Anonymous Bishop.
... quickly, O Novatian"we find that there were shut up not ... of your mouth: for the Lord
lifteth the poor from the ... on the other hand, they who do not repent of ...
/.../a treatise against the heretic.htm

The Way of Life and the Way of Death.
... Naaman; [3377] and Judas, who stole the poor's money, betrayed ... wherefore didst thou
doubt?" [3424] "Be not thou ready ... thy hand to receive, and to shut it when ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the two ways.htm

The Precept of Loving One's Enemies it is as Much Taught in the ...
... words also: "If there be among you a poor man of thy brethren, thou shalt not turn
away thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the precept of loving.htm