“You shall not curse a deaf man nor place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God; I am Yahweh.” (Leviticus 19:14, LSB)
Throughout scripture, God has a special place in His heart for the suffering, needy, orphans, widows, and disabled. God sees those who suffer because of physical limitations or accidents or death as deserving of our care. However, human beings can act terribly toward those who are weaker or suffering or grieving or vulnerable. God rejects such harsh treatment.
In Deuteronomy 10:17-18, God is not only described as “great”, “mighty”, and “fearsome”, He is also described as executing “justice for the orphan and the widow”. These verses also claim that God is worthy of respect for showing love toward the lonely sojourner. In Psalm 107:9, God is praised for giving food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty. Jesus continued this work for the hurting and needy by healing many, casting out demons from those suffering evil, and forgiving the penitent who needed such action.
In our scripture for today from the book of Leviticus, you can see more of God’s attention directed at needy individuals. In Leviticus 19:14, God makes it a law of the land that the faithful “not curse a deaf man nor place a stumbling block before the blind”. If you look more closely at this scripture, God is demanding fair treatment of those who are disabled. A deaf man cannot hear the curse of another. The blind man cannot see the stumbling block he is about to fall over. Out of respect for God, the faithful are expected to treat those facing disabilities with fairness and care befitting their situation.
I have heard it said that young children can be very cruel to one another. Without good discernment, children may be tempted to treat others unfairly or manipulate them. In the same way that God taught the early Israelites to show respect to those who are disabled, God desires all people to teach their children to show respect and love to others. To teach children how to care for the needy is to show respect to God.
At a school in New York City during recess, three young boys gathered at a corner of the playground. Two of the boys were best friends. The third was a boy who was new to the school and no doubt looking for friends. Their teacher was not far away watching. She knew that the two best friends were often known to cause mischief during recess. She was interested in what they were “hatching” with the new boy. As the teacher listened on at the edge of her hearing, she overheard the two boys urging the new boy to throw a ball and hit a little girl named Sophie. They told the new boy that if he caused the girl to stumble and fall, they would share their lunch with him.
Feeling rather alone in the new school, the new boy felt torn. A part of him knew this was wrong. Sophie might get hurt, especially being so small. On the other hand, he needed some friends, and this was a perfect opportunity to show the two boys that he could be trusted. Still torn about his options, the new boy retrieved a ball and approached Sophie. As he did so, the teacher moved closer to Sophie. Just as the new boy threw the ball in Sophie’s direction, the teacher deflected it. Then, the teacher yelled at the boy to come with her to the principal’s office. She asked the boy why he had thrown the ball at Sophie. The new boy would not divulge his real intentions, for fear of losing his new friends. He went with the teacher ready to face the consequences for his actions.
When the new boy and the teacher got to the office area, the boy was placed outside while the teacher went into the principal’s office. The teacher explained what had happened on the playground and that the boy was being manipulated by two troublemakers. The teacher left the boy to the principal and went back out to the playground. From then on, the teacher made sure to keep a closer watch on the two best friends while endeavoring to help the new boy to find better friends!
Did you notice that the two best friends wanted to hurt “little Sophie”. They knew she was an easy target, being young and petite. Children on the playground have that temptation to pick on the new kid, take advantage of the vulnerable, and be mean when they should be caring. Some playgrounds can be “dog eat dog”, with taunts and name-calling and other cruelties being performed daily.
The scripture today ends by saying that “out of fear or respect for God”, people should not take advantage of the deaf or blind. This translates very well to a demand that people should not take advantage of the weakness or vulnerabilities of others to prop themselves up or make fun of those who can’t defend themselves. This is the kind of God you serve; one who watches over the weak and hurting and disabled and grieving.
Is there someone nearby who needs your watchful care? Out of respect and love for God, are you willing to go the extra mile to watch over and help the vulnerable and needy?
In Deuteronomy 10:17-18, God is not only described as “great”, “mighty”, and “fearsome”, He is also described as executing “justice for the orphan and the widow”. These verses also claim that God is worthy of respect for showing love toward the lonely sojourner. In Psalm 107:9, God is praised for giving food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty. Jesus continued this work for the hurting and needy by healing many, casting out demons from those suffering evil, and forgiving the penitent who needed such action.
In our scripture for today from the book of Leviticus, you can see more of God’s attention directed at needy individuals. In Leviticus 19:14, God makes it a law of the land that the faithful “not curse a deaf man nor place a stumbling block before the blind”. If you look more closely at this scripture, God is demanding fair treatment of those who are disabled. A deaf man cannot hear the curse of another. The blind man cannot see the stumbling block he is about to fall over. Out of respect for God, the faithful are expected to treat those facing disabilities with fairness and care befitting their situation.
I have heard it said that young children can be very cruel to one another. Without good discernment, children may be tempted to treat others unfairly or manipulate them. In the same way that God taught the early Israelites to show respect to those who are disabled, God desires all people to teach their children to show respect and love to others. To teach children how to care for the needy is to show respect to God.
At a school in New York City during recess, three young boys gathered at a corner of the playground. Two of the boys were best friends. The third was a boy who was new to the school and no doubt looking for friends. Their teacher was not far away watching. She knew that the two best friends were often known to cause mischief during recess. She was interested in what they were “hatching” with the new boy. As the teacher listened on at the edge of her hearing, she overheard the two boys urging the new boy to throw a ball and hit a little girl named Sophie. They told the new boy that if he caused the girl to stumble and fall, they would share their lunch with him.
Feeling rather alone in the new school, the new boy felt torn. A part of him knew this was wrong. Sophie might get hurt, especially being so small. On the other hand, he needed some friends, and this was a perfect opportunity to show the two boys that he could be trusted. Still torn about his options, the new boy retrieved a ball and approached Sophie. As he did so, the teacher moved closer to Sophie. Just as the new boy threw the ball in Sophie’s direction, the teacher deflected it. Then, the teacher yelled at the boy to come with her to the principal’s office. She asked the boy why he had thrown the ball at Sophie. The new boy would not divulge his real intentions, for fear of losing his new friends. He went with the teacher ready to face the consequences for his actions.
When the new boy and the teacher got to the office area, the boy was placed outside while the teacher went into the principal’s office. The teacher explained what had happened on the playground and that the boy was being manipulated by two troublemakers. The teacher left the boy to the principal and went back out to the playground. From then on, the teacher made sure to keep a closer watch on the two best friends while endeavoring to help the new boy to find better friends!
Did you notice that the two best friends wanted to hurt “little Sophie”. They knew she was an easy target, being young and petite. Children on the playground have that temptation to pick on the new kid, take advantage of the vulnerable, and be mean when they should be caring. Some playgrounds can be “dog eat dog”, with taunts and name-calling and other cruelties being performed daily.
The scripture today ends by saying that “out of fear or respect for God”, people should not take advantage of the deaf or blind. This translates very well to a demand that people should not take advantage of the weakness or vulnerabilities of others to prop themselves up or make fun of those who can’t defend themselves. This is the kind of God you serve; one who watches over the weak and hurting and disabled and grieving.
Is there someone nearby who needs your watchful care? Out of respect and love for God, are you willing to go the extra mile to watch over and help the vulnerable and needy?