As the Lord continues to prepare his people for entrance into the promised land, he tells them, “There shall be no poor among you.” All of God’s chosen people will be cared for. At specific, recurring times, debts must be forgiven and slaves must be set free. This directive isn’t merely about good social policy. God has led his people here, and he wants his his grace, mercy, and providence to be reflected in the way they care for one another.
Thousands of years later, in another desolate place, Jesus seeks time alone to mourn the gruesome execution of his cousin, John the Baptist, but the crowds continue to follow him. The disciples want to send them home, not only to protect their rabbi, but also to allow ample travel time for the people to find food. He does not send them away. He heals. He teaches. He miraculously provides for the thousands gathered. There is not one among them who is left poor, either physically or spiritually.
Of course, all of this is made possible not by human ambition or careful planning, but by the infinite grace and compassion God has for us. The LORD takes great care to stress this to the Israelites. They have not survived in the wilderness or under the hand of Pharaoh by their own efforts. They belong to the Lord. He cares for his people, and he does not want them to forget it.
There should be no poor among us, either. There should be no lack of desire to seek out the Word of God, even if we have to go to unpleasant lengths to hear and learn it. Jesus’ compassion upon us should be repeated in the way we treat our brothers and sisters. With the full knowledge that Jesus has rescued us from the bondage and desolation of sin, our generosity should be continuous, in both word and deed, physically and spiritually. Our day in the promised land is coming, too. Let us be prepared for it by holding fast to the treasure of God’s Word and living it out together.
