Deuteronomy 24: Compassion Poured Out

““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.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭24‬:‭19‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I read this piece of scripture I can't help but think of compassion born from memory. God is reminding the Israelites that they were once oppressed, vulnerable, and dependent on His mercy and rescue. I definitely can connect with this. I know what it's like to feel alone, powerless, trapped and even sadly, hopeless. How could I not extend that same mercy to those who are vulnerable as I was: foreigners, orphans, and widows in this text. Today other single moms, women who have experienced divorce, families in the working in the foster system and even those who have adopted. There are so many other things I can list off but these came to mind immediately. As I think about how the Lord has supported and cared for me in all of these spaces I can't help but want to extend a hand to those walking through something similar.

Keimani's "gotcha" day!

I did a little digging on the symbolism from these verses today. Here’s some deeper reasoning:

• “Remember you were slaves in Egypt”: God is anchoring their sense of justice and generosity in their own story. They were once on the margins — mistreated, without power or provision — and God redeemed them.

• “That is why I am giving you this command”: Their past is not just a memory; it’s supposed to shape their present behavior. God’s rescue wasn’t just for them — it was meant to make them into a people who live differently, especially in how they treat others.

• Practical compassion: The commands are about intentional generosity. Not harvesting every last bit means the marginalized can gather food with dignity. It’s like God built in a system of social care — not through handouts, but through shared provision.

I have been much better at this in times past. I remember for years when a mother's day or a single mom's birthday would come I would want. to shower that mom with love. I have been so fortunate in so many ways with the village the Lord has given me in each of these areas I mentioned. I need to do better. Im thankful for this reminder today!