Author: Wesley Fryer

It is wrong for a leader to mislead a blind follower. Great responsibility is entrusted to those who lead is, and that trust is sacred. If that trust is violated, these verses from the Old Testament remind us the Israelites pronounced a curse on the person who misled the blind. This curse was pronounced at the direction of God.

Deuteronomy 27:18 NLT

“‘Cursed is anyone who leads a blind person astray on the road.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Deut27.18.NLT

God commanded the Israelites to be intentionally generous with their bounty so the poor could have food also. What is the 21st century analog to this? Giving regular financial gifts to our local food pantry? To our church deacon fund? Somewhere else?

These verses are about a lifestyle of generosity, specifically to provide for the poor. I am challenged by this because I know currently, I am not giving and doing enough in this regard.

Deuteronomy 24: 19-22 NLT

““When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don’t go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do. When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don’t go over the boughs twice. Leave the remaining olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. When you gather the grapes in your vineyard, don’t glean the vines after they are picked. Leave the remaining grapes for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. That is why I am giving you this command.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Deut24.19.NLT

I do not stand here because of my own hard work and deeds. I must never forget God’s constant provision.

Deuteronomy 8:15-18 NLT

“Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Deut8.15.NLT

As I read these verses I am challenged to ask, “How am I acting as a servant to others?”

John 13:12-17 NLT

“After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/John13.12.NLT

The Israelites were specifically commanded to not harvest all their crops, but intentionally provide “leavings” which the poor could collect and eat.

I’m thinking it is significant the poor still had to go and collect this food. It was not (in this case) delivered to their doorstep. It required effort and work on their part. It also required intentional action on behalf of the farmers.

I am wondering what our modern corollary should be to “the leavings” of our crops? 

Leviticus 19: 9-10 NLT

““When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Lev19.9.NLT