“if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.”
Before diving into what this passage means for us today it is worth noting that this practice was strictly forbidden by God as put forth in Exodus 22. However at this time in his Israels history the practice was prevalent. Disobedience to God not only leads to sin but it often leads to victimization and chaos. The lack of compassion in this verse shows a lender taking even the bed from the person who acted as guarantor on a loan. The law would have the bed returned before nightfall but that evidently was not happening. Loaning money is certainly not forbidden. Requiring payment of the loan was also not wrong. During this kind of deal (again not allowed by God) called for compassionate treatment by God’s people toward God’s people. In the law debt was whipped out and completely forgiven every seven years (the sabbatical year). Can you imagine that today? It was a way of shortening the burden and relationship issues experienced in families over the burden of unpaid debts. It was a nationwide practice in Israel. I don’t believe it would be practical or workable today however the principle of forgiveness, compassion and concern for the needs and struggles of others is a huge consideration for modern Kingdom builders. Today lend carefully and once you do handle the borrower as a fellow creation of Christ. #BeTheEdge
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 NIV
