Forgive others because God has forgiven us, and be grateful for being forgiven by God.

Verses 1 to 6 mention the release of debts every seven years and are likely talking about the year of jubilee. Seven years of Sabbath have to be observed before the year of jubilee is observed. The year of jubilee is a year of blessing where freedom is given. It likely happens only once in a person’s lifetime, and those who were truly in poverty and in great need would greatly benefit.

Just like how it happens once in a lifetime, we only have one chance at being redeemed by God through baptism. We need to thank God for this grace and repay God. The year of jubilee was intended to bring grace to the people, and we can indeed see that God takes care of those who are better off and those who are poor. They get to redeem their inheritance of land in that year and are not supposed to sell the land. This land is given as an inheritance by God only if they carefully obey the voice of the Lord God, to observe with care all these commandments which God has commanded them.

Deuteronomy 15:4-5 4 except when there may be no poor among you; for the Lord will greatly bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance— 5 only if you carefully obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today.

However, not everybody kept God’s commands and not everybody adhered to God’s wisdom, so some were in poverty. There are also rules to make sure the people do not suffer undue loss. Some people not only sold the land, but were also driven to the point where they had to sell themselves, which means they were reduced to someone’s slave. Nonetheless, they were not to be treated as slaves but as hired slaves with servitude. In the year of jubilee, the land is redeemed and the person is released.

Since we have received this grace, how are we going to repay God? If we listen and submit to God, God will provide for us.

Be generous and not grieve about being generous.

Not only is giving to the poor mentioned but so is giving to bondservants.

Deuteronomy 15:14b From what the Lord your God has blessed you with, you shall give to him.

Let us strive to extend generosity to those around us.

Offering up our best to God.

The firstborn has a birthright which is something to be cherished and treasured. The firstborn animal is sanctified and sacrificed to God, and it should not have any defects.

Deuteronomy 15:19-21 19 “All the firstborn males that come from your herd and your flock you shall [h]sanctify to the Lord your God; you shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. 20 You and your household shall eat it before the Lord your God year by year in the place which the Lord chooses. 21 But if there is a defect in it, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.

Similarly, our service to God has to be our best effort, out of pure and correct intentions, and out of a willing and joyful heart to serve God.

•