"When you lend your brother anything, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge. You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you lend shall bring the pledge out to you. And if the man is poor, you shall not keep his pledge overnight. You shall in any case return the pledge to him again when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his own garment and bless you; and it shall be righteousness to you before the LORD your God." (vv.10-13)
Once again here in chapter 24 we find various laws dealing with the everyday life of an Israelite. In the case of our text we see a common practice used to secure a loan during this time period. The lender would secure a pledge (something of value) from the borrower as collateral. However, to spare a poor man’s shame, to guard against something he could not spare, and protect against the creditor’s greed, the borrower chose the object to be pledged.
Furthermore, in the case of a poor man who had pledged his cloak, it was to be restored to him before nightfall (v.12-13) – as the poor in Eastern countries have commonly no other covering for wrapping themselves in when they would go to sleep. This teaches us to consult the comfort and subsistence of others above our own advantage. By letting the poor debtor sleep in his own raiment, and praise God for the kindness shown to him, is accounted unto righteousness to the creditor before the LORD. (v.13)
A pledge also had to be received in a way that kept the poor man’s dignity. We notice here that God does not condemn the principle of taking a pledge, only commanding that it be received humanely. The idea of receiving collateral for a loan is valid because it encourages personal responsibility in the one receiving the loan. Therefore, the borrower chose the object to be pledged.
When Israel kept remembering how much God had done for them, it would make them more compassionate and fair in dealing with others. We also must always deal with others remembering how much God has blessed and forgiven us.
The Truth: “One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.” (Psalm 19:7)
