Jennifer 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Deuteronomy 15:13 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The Bible is filled with instructions that guide us in how we live, how we treat others, and how we honor God. One of the beautiful aspects of the Bible is how it teaches kindness, fairness, and justice, especially for those who are in need. Deuteronomy 15:13 is one such verse. It comes from the Old Testament, and it teaches an important lesson about how to treat servants when they are released from service.
The Context of Deuteronomy 15:13 KJV
Understanding the Book of Deuteronomy
The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible. It is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books written by Moses. These books are sometimes called the “Law of Moses.” Deuteronomy is a book where Moses repeats and explains God’s laws to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.
Moses knew he would not be going with them into the land. So, he wanted to make sure they remembered all that God had commanded. He reminded them about God’s goodness, their covenant with Him, and how they should live as His chosen people.
The Year of Release
Deuteronomy 15 talks about the Year of Release, also known as the Sabbatical Year. Every seven years, the Israelites were told to forgive debts and release Hebrew servants who had served for six years.
This command was a powerful act of mercy and grace. It was meant to prevent long-term poverty and remind the people that God had delivered them from slavery in Egypt. Just as God freed them, they were to free others.
The surrounding verses give detailed instructions:
- Debts were to be canceled.
- No one was to be hard-hearted or stingy.
- Hebrew servants were to be released after six years of service.
- The people were reminded to remember their own deliverance.
This leads us to Deuteronomy 15:13, a key verse in this instruction.
Deuteronomy 15:13 (KJV)
Let us read the verse in the King James Version:“And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty.”
This verse is short, but it carries a powerful instruction. God is telling the Israelites how they should treat a servant who is being released. They are not to send him away with nothing.
Deuteronomy 15:13 Meaning
A Call to Kindness and Generosity
This verse is a command for generosity. It tells the master that releasing the servant is not enough. The servant should be blessed with material goods when he goes. It shows that God cares not only about freedom, but also about the well-being of the one being set free.
In verse 14, which follows this command, God says:“Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress…”
This means that when the servant leaves, he should be given sheep, grain, and wine—resources to help him start his new life.
Reflecting God’s Character
Why does God care about this? Because it reflects His own character. God is not only a God of justice, but also a God of mercy and provision. When God delivered Israel from Egypt, He didn’t just free them—He brought them out with silver, gold, and supplies. God provides for His people.
So, when the Israelites released a servant, they were to act as God acted. They were to show the same compassion and generosity that God had shown them.
Protection Against Poverty
This law also served to protect the released servant. If a man left his master with nothing, he might quickly fall into poverty again and be forced to sell himself into slavery once more. But with a generous start, he had a real chance at freedom and success.
This is a model of social justice that goes beyond mere charity. It is about empowering the poor and helping them stand on their own feet.
Deuteronomy 15:13 Application in Life
1. Helping Others in Transition
In today’s world, we do not have the same system of servanthood. But the principles still apply. Many people go through transitions—leaving jobs, finishing prison sentences, aging out of foster care, or moving out of shelters. Just like the servant in Deuteronomy, they are starting over.
This verse teaches us to support those in transition. We should not let them go away empty. Whether it’s with resources, encouragement, or opportunities, we should give them a good start.
Christians are called to go beyond the bare minimum. It’s not enough to set someone free—we must help them thrive.
2. Generosity as a Way of Life
God calls His people to be generous. In the New Testament, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:7:“God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Giving should not be done grudgingly. It should flow out of love and compassion. Deuteronomy 15:13 reminds us to be generous, especially to those in need.
When someone leaves our employment, do we bless them or forget about them? When someone finishes a tough chapter in life, do we help them start fresh?
God’s people should be known for their open hands and open hearts.
3. Remembering Our Own Freedom
God tells the Israelites to remember that they were once slaves in Egypt. This memory was supposed to shape their behavior. Likewise, Christians are called to remember their past. Before we knew Christ, we were in bondage to sin. But Jesus set us free.
When we remember what God has done for us, it helps us treat others with mercy and kindness. We become more willing to help because we know what it’s like to need help.
4. Valuing Human Dignity
This verse also teaches us to honor the dignity of every person. Even a servant—someone low in society—was to be treated with respect and given resources to succeed.
No one is beneath God’s care. We should never treat people as disposable or unworthy of kindness. Every person is made in the image of God. Deuteronomy 15:13 reminds us to uphold human dignity in all we do.
5. The Example of Jesus
Jesus lived out the heart of this law. He did not just heal people or teach them; He restored them. He fed the hungry, lifted the broken, and forgave sinners. He went the extra mile.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live like Him. We should seek not only justice but also restoration for others. We should not let people walk away empty.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 15:13 is a powerful reminder of God’s call to compassion, justice, and generosity. It teaches us that when someone leaves our service or care, we should not let them go away empty. We are to bless them, equip them, and help them succeed.
This verse shows us the heart of God. He is not only a God who sets people free—He is a God who provides. He wants His people to do the same. Whether it’s helping the poor, supporting the hurting, or giving to those in need, we are to reflect God’s mercy in how we live. May we live in such a way that no one ever leaves our presence empty-handed—not just in things, but in love, encouragement, and hope.
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