Daily Thoughts from Deuteronomy 24:6: Collateral (Chavil)

26 Collateral (Chavil)

No one may take a mill or even an upper millstone as collateral for a loan, because that would be taking as collateral the debtor’s very means of sustenance.

(D’varim 24:6)

The journey had certainly taken its toll on his body.  He felt almost too weak to get up and relieve himself.  The urge pushed him and he shakily made his way to his latrine, only to come back to the cave and collapse.  It was several hours before he could bring himself to raise his head or stir in any fashion.

“What made you think you could do this, son of God?  Do you still not see the foolishness of taking on this depleted humanity you call a body?  Why do you persist in this wasted experiment?”

“I have no energy for conversation with you, now.”

“Of course you don’t.  That’s fine.  I can do all the talking.  In fact, I have some problems with your sacred scripture, the portion you are going to read today.  First of all, what a bizarre command concerning the woman who has been divorced and remarried only to find herself husbandless again.  Yahweh says she cannot remarry her first husband because she is defiled.  But isn’t that exactly what Yahweh has promised will happen to the sons of Jacob?  He divorced her for her offensive resorting to other gods.  And though Jacob had married another god, Yahweh was going to restore her to His house?  Isn’t that what He has promised?  How is that not a violation of His own command through Pharaoh’s son?”

“I told you, I am too tired to speak with you.  Why should I give you an answer?”

“I do not care for your answer.  There is no answer.  Rest your bones, O tired one.”

He had no trouble obeying that command and, in fact, fell asleep for he didn’t know how long.  When he awoke his companion was still there.  And his own energy had somewhat revived.

“Why would you subject the Father to the same requirements as the people?  Do you not understand the difference between the One who commits no injustice or evil and those who are bound with it?  What humans cannot live with in terms of remarrying an original partner after another marriage in-between, the Father can make right with His covenanted wife, Israel.”

“It is a different standard than he requires of others, son of God.  That is all I am saying.”

“Yes, it is a different standard because He is not like His people, fallen and wounded by iniquity and hardened of heart when it comes to relationships that are difficult.  His love is perfect.”

“Well that is not the only issue I have with Moshe’s words.  This whole business of pledged collateral makes no sense.  If someone owes a debt what better way to insure he is accountable for that debt than to withhold that collateral from him?  He shouldn’t have come for a loan to begin with if there was a chance he couldn’t repay it.  And how dare he not let me come into his house to take the collateral if it is owed me.  This just gives him an excuse to renege on his loan.”

“You could not understand that love and respect outweigh debt, could you.  Of course it is proper to have accountability for one’s debt, but if you take as collateral something that enables the debtor to work and earn income to repay his debt, what good is that?  And if you treat him as nothing because he is in your debt, and treat his home as yours instead of his, you have failed to view him as Yahweh views him, as a prince made in God’s image and worthy of respect.”

“You coddle these humans and give them a respect they do not deserve.”

“I’m sure you don’t tell them that initially when you are seeking to win them over.”

“You do what you must to deal with these little children.  They cannot find their own way without help.”

“Nabil found his way.”

“Nabil is a fool who gave up the power I offered him for a fool’s reason.  Does he really think he will be able to convince his family that what you say is true?  Even now he is regretting his decision as he sees the resistance he has faced from his father.  You did him no favors, son of God.”

It was likely that satan was lying about Nabil’s situation, though it was also highly likely that the path would not be smooth when proclaiming a faith that Nabil’s family was not used to and that exposed their faith as wanting.  He silently offered another prayer for Nabil and his family.

“You are making me realize something, satan, that you view people as collateral that you are willing to use and exploit for your own purposes, as if they owe you a debt and they themselves are the pledge to cover it.  I cannot treat them so.  They are made in my Father’s image and precious to Him.  I will pay the debt that is owed.  And it is owed to the Father, not to you.  And I will not let you enter the house to collect.  I will be spoiling your house as you have spoiled the house of mankind all these ages.”

Suddenly he was gone.  The rest of the day was spent quietly and peacefully.  He still felt very weak, exhausted, really.  But at least for now his adversary was bested and he had relief.