Deuteronomy 24:21
When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you must not go over the vines again. What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow.
When you gather the grapes of your vineyard
This phrase refers to the practice of harvesting grapes, a common agricultural activity in ancient Israel. Vineyards were a significant part of the economy and daily life, as wine was a staple beverage. The command to gather grapes implies a time of abundance and blessing, as vineyards were a symbol of prosperity and God's provision (Isaiah 5:1-7). The vineyard also serves as a metaphor for Israel itself in various scriptures, highlighting the nation's relationship with God (Psalm 80:8-16).

you must not go over the vines again
This instruction emphasizes the principle of leaving some of the harvest for others, a practice rooted in the law of gleaning. By not going over the vines a second time, the Israelites were to demonstrate trust in God's provision and cultivate a spirit of generosity. This practice is part of the broader Mosaic Law, which includes similar instructions for other crops (Leviticus 19:9-10). It reflects God's concern for social justice and care for the marginalized.

What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow
This phrase highlights God's compassion and provision for the vulnerable members of society. The foreigner, fatherless, and widow were often without means of support and were particularly susceptible to poverty and exploitation. By leaving the remnants of the harvest for them, the Israelites were to act as stewards of God's blessings, ensuring that those in need were cared for. This command echoes throughout scripture, emphasizing God's heart for justice and mercy (Psalm 146:9, James 1:27). It also foreshadows the inclusive nature of the Gospel, where all are invited to partake in God's kingdom, regardless of status or background.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israelites
The original audience of Deuteronomy, the people of Israel, who were given these laws as part of the covenant with God.

2. Foreigner
Non-Israelites living among the Israelites, often without land or means of support.

3. Fatherless
Orphans who lacked the protection and provision of a family.

4. Widow
Women who had lost their husbands and often faced economic hardship.

5. Vineyard
A place of agricultural production, significant in the agrarian society of ancient Israel.
Teaching Points
God's Heart for the Vulnerable
God commands His people to care for the marginalized, reflecting His compassionate nature.

Community Responsibility
The law encourages a communal approach to welfare, where everyone plays a part in supporting those in need.

Generosity and Trust
By not going over the vines again, the Israelites were to trust in God's provision and practice generosity.

Practical Love
This command is a call to action, showing love through tangible support for those who are less fortunate.

Stewardship of Resources
The Israelites were reminded that their resources were ultimately God's, and they were to use them to bless others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the command in Deuteronomy 24:21 reflect God's character and priorities?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of leaving "gleanings" for the vulnerable in our modern context?

3. How does the account of Ruth and Boaz illustrate the practical application of this law?

4. What are some ways your community or church can better support the "foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow" today?

5. How does understanding God's provision and ownership of resources change our perspective on generosity and stewardship?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 19:9-10
This passage also instructs the Israelites to leave gleanings for the poor and the foreigner, emphasizing God's concern for the marginalized.

Ruth 2
The account of Ruth gleaning in Boaz's field illustrates the practical application of this law and highlights God's provision through community obedience.

James 1:27
This New Testament verse underscores the importance of caring for orphans and widows, aligning with the spirit of Deuteronomy 24:21.
Consideration for the Poor and NeedyR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 24:10-22
Doing Justice and Loving MercyJ. Orr Deuteronomy 24:16-22
Care for OthersH. Moorhouse.Deuteronomy 24:19-21
Autumn GenerosityD. Davies Deuteronomy 24:19-22
People
Israelites, Levites, Miriam, Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt
Topics
Afterward, Afterwards, Alien, Behind, Child, Cuttest, Dropped, Fatherless, Foreigner, Gather, Gatherest, Glean, Grapes, Leave, Orphan, Pulling, Remains, Sojourner, Strange, Stranger, Vines, Vineyard, Widow, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 24:21

     4458   grape
     4538   vineyard

Deuteronomy 24:17-22

     5909   motives, importance

Deuteronomy 24:19-21

     4464   harvest
     5743   widows
     7530   foreigners

Deuteronomy 24:19-22

     4208   land, divine responsibility
     5378   law, OT

Deuteronomy 24:21-22

     5246   captivity
     8311   morality, and redemption
     8404   commands, in OT

Library
The vineyard Labourers.
"For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place, and said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

But I Marvel, If, as it is Allowed to Put Away a Wife Who...
7. But I marvel, if, as it is allowed to put away a wife who is an adulteress, so it be allowed, having put her away, to marry another. For holy Scripture causes a hard knot in this matter, in that the Apostle says, that, by commandment of the Lord, the wife ought not to depart from her husband, but, in case she shall have departed, to remain unmarried, or to be reconciled to her husband; [1950] whereas surely she ought not to depart and remain unmarried, save from an husband that is an adulterer,
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^A Matt. I. 18-25. ^a 18 Now the birth [The birth of Jesus is to handled with reverential awe. We are not to probe into its mysteries with presumptuous curiosity. The birth of common persons is mysterious enough (Eccl. ix. 5; Ps. cxxxix. 13-16), and we do not well, therefore, if we seek to be wise above what is written as to the birth of the Son of God] of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed [The Jews were usually betrothed ten or twelve months
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

On the Journey to Jerusalem - Departure from Ephraim by Way of Samaria and Galilee - Healing of Ten Lepers - Prophetic Discourse of the Coming
The brief time of rest and quiet converse with His disciples in the retirement of Ephraim was past, and the Saviour of men prepared for His last journey to Jerusalem. All the three Synoptic Gospels mark this, although with varying details. [4875] From the mention of Galilee by St. Matthew, and by St. Luke of Samaria and Galilee - or more correctly, between (along the frontiers of) Samaria and Galilee,' we may conjecture that, on leaving Ephraim, Christ made a very brief detour along the northern
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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