For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
There will always be poor people in your land. That's why I'm commanding you to be generous and open-handed toward your fellow people who are poor and in need.
God is acknowledging that poverty will always exist, so He commands His people to be generous and help those in need.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of Deuteronomy, Moses is addressing the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, delivering God's laws to guide them in establishing a just society after their deliverance from Egyptian slavery. This verse is part of a broader section on economic laws, including the year of release for debts, which aimed to prevent perpetual poverty and promote communal care among the people. It reflects God's ongoing concern for the vulnerable in a culture where social and economic disparities were common due to factors like agriculture and warfare.
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