Don’t Oppress Strangers, Widows, Orphans or the Poor (Exodus 22)

Exodus 22:21–25 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him…Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child…If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.

The law contained many practical and compassionate instructions for how the Israelites were to treat one another, and in particular, how they were to treat those less fortunate than themselves.

We are not under the Mosaic law and it cannot make us righteous, but the work of God through His Holy Spirit should produce in us a similar type compassion and generosity. It should cause us to not vex or oppress a stranger. It should cause us to not afflict any widow or fatherless child. God will in particular deal with those who oppress widows and orphans. The Holy Spirit will work in us to cause us to not take advantage of the poor.

May we who have received the righteousness of God through faith in Christ allow the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out. May He help us to live in a way that reflects God’s character and brings His glory. May we be compassionate, kind, and generous to those in need.