A few interesting thoughts in how we treat people explained in the scriptures as Moses was helping the people set up their society – advice on how we are willing to not intrude and how we are to be thoughtful of personal matters that matter to others lives. Here are the Deuteronomy 24 scriptures that remind us (and me) specifically about many situations:

5 “If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married.”

6 “Do not take a pair of millstones—not even the upper one—as security for a debt, because that would be taking a person’s livelihood as security.”

Yes, BOTH of these examples are how we would like to be treated if we were in the same situations. And perhaps these scriptures can help us set boundaries. We are to think about fairness and blessings we can share. Like giving time to people who take time off work with newborn babies, or even sick kids, those attending funerals, those needing a mental health moment. Like being extra nice to someone on their birthday. Like not intruding in someone’s vacation day or honeymoon. And verse 6 is like giving a hand up not out, to allow each person the ability to earn a living. Don’t take their livelihood away. 

And as for work, that also means letting the people think. Think about their thinking. Give people space to do their own thing. And allow them to grow. Like teenagers wanting to work things out for themselves. Be supportive of survival mode and be an encourager of thrival-mode. Don’t belittle people and don’t expect things if you don’t give them the tools and time to build things.

The other instructive passages, presented by Moses, include not lording over what’s not yours to take or judge. Not making others captives when freedom is what the Lord granted you from situations. Being respectful of those with less. Sharing the excess. Leaving something back for others to have. 

Verses 14-15: “Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.  Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.”

Verses 17-18 “Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.”

Verses 19-22 “When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.”

Yes… Remember that we were freed and walk in understanding of those still captive. Give respect, as the Lord has respected you. Remember our freedom and free others to live.

Share in the sharing as all these provisions are from the Lord. 

Think about the thinking. 

Bless the blessings.

Amen