Deuteronomy 24:17-18

Justice Must Be Done To The Weak (Deuteronomy 24:17).

Consideration and fair play must be extended to the very weakest in society. They most of all depend on it.

Deuteronomy 24:17

‘ You shall not distort the justice due to the resident alien, or to the fatherless, nor take the widow's raiment to pledge,'

Compare here Deuteronomy 1:16; Deuteronomy 16:18. Justice was especially to be dispensed fairly to those who could not defend themselves. The resident alien and the fatherless had nowhere to look for help other than to justices. And taking a widow's garment in pledge was so despicable that it could not even be considered.

But we cannot just turn away and leave it to the justices. It is our responsibility, as far as we are able, to ensure that they are just. We must all ensure that justice is being applied properly. And all must have consideration for the poor.

Deuteronomy 24:18

‘ But you shall remember that you were a bondsman in Egypt, and Yahweh your God redeemed you from there. Therefore I command you to do this thing.'

And this especially applied to Israel, for they had been poor. They were to remember that they had been themselves bondsmen in the land of Egypt, and that they had not delivered themselves, but that it was Yahweh Who had paid the price of their deliverance by His display of mighty power. That especially is why they are commanded to do this thing.

Christians have another motive. They remember the One Who though He was rich, became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).