Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryDeuteronomy 15

Deuteronomy 15:1-11: The Year of Release In this passage, Moses gives a law to help poor people who cannot pay their debts. Every seventh year, called the year of release, the Israelites were to forgive debts owed by fellow Israelites. This law was meant to show mercy, honor God’s sabbath year, and prevent anyone from falling into deep poverty. God promises that if the people obey and help each other, He will bless them and their land. He also commands the Israelites not to be selfish or hard-hearted, but to give gladly and generously to those in need.vv. 1-2: Every seventh year, debts owed by Israelites were to be released and not collected by law (v. 1, 2 ). This special release was called the Lord

vv. 3-4: This release only applied to poor Israelites who could not pay their debts (v. 3, 4 ). The law was there to stop anyone from becoming so poor that they had to leave their country or turn away from God. God wanted to prevent extreme poverty in Israel.

vv. 4-6: God promises to bless the Israelites if they obey this law (v. 4-6 ). Whatever they lose by forgiving debts, God will give them back in other ways. He will make them able to lend to other nations and not need to borrow themselves. This blessing shows that doing good and showing mercy will never leave them with less in the end (Prov. 22:7; 2 Cor. 8:14 ).

v. 7: There will always be poor people who need help (v. 7 ), so God commands not to harden your heart or close your hand to a poor brother. Kindness and compassion are always needed.

v. 8: God says to open your hand wide and lend whatever is needed (v. 8 ). Sometimes lending is as helpful as giving, because it teaches responsibility and helps the poor support themselves.

v. 9: People might be tempted not to lend when the year of release is near, because they fear they will not get their money back (v. 9 ). God warns against such selfish thoughts. If the poor cry out to God because you refuse to help, it is counted as sin. God knows even our secret thoughts and expects us to act with true kindness (Ps. 49:18; Luke 6:35; 14:14 ).

v. 10: Give freely and happily, not with a grieving heart (v. 10 ). God loves a cheerful giver and will repay those who are generous (2 Cor. 9:7 ).

v. 11: God promises to bless those who help the poor (v. 11 ). Giving to the poor does not make us poorer—God will make sure that those who give with open hands are blessed in return (Prov. 3:10; Isa. 58:10, 11 ).

Deuteronomy 15:12-18: Laws About Hebrew Servants In this passage, Moses repeats and expands the law about Hebrew servants. If an Israelite became a servant because of poverty or crime, they were only to serve for six years. In the seventh year, they had to be set free. God wanted His people to be free, not in endless slavery. Moses also gives new instructions that masters should generously provide for their servants when they leave, helping them start a new life. These rules teach kindness, fairness, and gratitude for God’s blessings.v. 12: Hebrew servants, whether sold by themselves, their parents, or by a court, must serve no more than six years. In the seventh year, they are to be released and set free (v. 12; Exod. 21:2 ). If the year of jubilee came sooner, they would be freed then. This law reminds Israel that they are called to be a free people.

vv. 13-14: When a servant leaves, the master must not send them away empty-handed (v. 13, 14 ). The master should give food, animals, and goods, according to how much he can afford. This generous gift helps the servant start a new life, since servants had no wages or savings after their years of service.

v. 15: The people are to remember how God brought them out of slavery in Egypt and gave them many blessings (v. 15 ). Because God was kind to them, they should be kind and generous to others, especially to those who depend on them.

vv. 16-17: If a servant chooses to stay with the master instead of going free—perhaps because they feel cared for—the servant’s ear is to be pierced as a sign they will serve for life (v. 16, 17; Exod. 21:6 ). Maidservants did not have their ears pierced, but they received a gift if they chose freedom.

v. 18: Masters should not be upset about giving generously to a servant who leaves, since the servant has worked hard for six years—twice as long as a hired worker (v. 18; Isa. 16:14 ). Treating servants well brings God’s blessing to the whole family (v. 4, 6, 10 ).

Deuteronomy 15:19-23: The Law of the Firstlings In this section, Moses repeats and explains the law about the firstborn animals of the Israelites’ herds and flocks. The first male animals were to be set apart for God as a reminder of how He spared the firstborn of Israel in Egypt. Moses also gives new guidance about what to do with female firstlings and with any animals that had defects. These rules help the people remember God’s kindness and teach them to honor Him with their best.v. 19: All firstborn male animals were to be “sanctified to the Lord

v. 20: The people were to eat these firstlings before the Lord

v. 21: If a firstborn animal had a blemish or defect, it could not be offered as a sacrifice or used for holy celebrations (v. 21 ). God only accepts what is without blemish, because this points to Christ as the perfect Lamb.

v. 22: Animals with defects could be eaten at home as regular food (v. 22 ). There was no need to bring them to the sanctuary.

v. 23: However, the people must never eat the blood with the meat (v. 23 ). God repeats this command often, showing how important it is to Him.