Definition: At his day thou shalt give [him] his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he [is] poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 24:15. It’s a really important passage about fairness and responsibility in a community. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse is saying: “At his day – which is a significant time in the future – you must give someone their wages, or their job, and nothing should be taken from them. It’s not just about being fair; it's also important for the person’s well-being.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “At his day”: This refers to a specific, future time – often interpreted as a significant event in God’s plan for Israel. It’s a moment of reckoning and a period when God will be very involved. “[Him] thou shalt give [him] his hire…” This means you're obligated to pay someone their wages or job. “His hire” refers to the money they earn, or the job they have. “…neither shall the sun go down upon it”: This is a powerful metaphor. The "sun" represents the person’s livelihood – their income and ability to provide for themselves. “Goes down” means the day ends. So, this part says you must give them their money before it’s lost or taken away. “…for he [is] poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD…” This is the core of the message. The person – let's call him “Israel” – is struggling and possibly complaining. He’s feeling neglected and might even be angry. “He [is] poor” means he needs help, maybe he’s struggling financially or has a difficult situation. "Setteth his heart upon it" means he’s focusing on problems and complaints. The key part is that he is worried about something – likely about the lack of payment – and this worry could be considered a sin to God. "...lest he cry against thee unto the LORD…" This warns us against doing something that would cause him serious trouble with God. It's a plea for compassion and avoiding actions that would harm his well-being. In short, the verse is about responsibility, fairness, and protecting someone from potential problems. It’s a reminder that we have a duty to care for those who are struggling and to ensure they have enough to survive and thrive. Why is this important in the Bible? This passage was crucial during a time of crisis for the Israelites. They were facing challenges – perhaps famine, war, or other difficulties – and this verse highlights a way to maintain stability and prevent conflict with God. It emphasizes that we should be proactive in helping those who are struggling so they don't have to rely on God for their survival. Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Discuss its connection to other biblical stories or teachings?