Scriptures
Handfuls On Purpose was inspired by the story of Ruth and the
generosity of Boaz to a goyim or foreign widow in his land. We
encourage you to prayerfully read this wonderful story for yourselves.
Here in Chapter 2, we see Boaz not just meeting the letter of the
Hebrew law of leaving the corners and what was missed for "the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow",
but going beyond and instructing his workers to "let fall some handfuls for her on purpose."
It has also been birthed out of our love for our Jewish brothers and
sisters.
But is there a biblical basis for what we are doing? A close look at
the Word of God will make it clear that there is not only a biblical
basis, but a promise of blessing as well. Let's start our survey in the
beginning. In Genesis 12:1 God speaks to Abram telling him:
"I will make you a great nation; I will bless
you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless
those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you
all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
As we read on through Genesis, we see this theme repeated, elaborated
upon, and made very clear. Those who bless the sons of Israel
(Abraham's son Jacob) will be blessed, while those who do not will be
cursed. We also see the nation of Israel springing forth as the twelve
tribes of Israel are born of Jacob. While this has been very cursory,
we can conclude that there is blessing in caring for and blessing the
Hebrew people.
But what about caring for "the stranger, the fatherless, and the
widow?" That too is a very clear case. God was careful in His law to
make provision for those in need. Let's look at Deuteronomy 24:19-22:
"When you reap your harvest in your field, and
forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall
be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your
God may bless you in all the work of your hands. …therefore I command
you to do this thing."
This theme, this underlying Law of Love is found all through scripture.
In Deuteronomy 10:18-19, we are told:
"He administers justice for the fatherless and
the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.
Therefore love the stranger ….""
As we read on, we find that God not only provided for these in the
gleanings of the harvest, but elsewhere as well. "At the end of every third year you shall bring out
the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your
gates. And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with
you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within
your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God
may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do." (Deuteronomy
14:28-29)
All were to be included in the feasts as well. Under the Law of Love,
no one was left out.
"You shall rejoice before the LORD your God,
you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female
servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the
fatherless and the widow who are among you, at the place where the LORD
your God chooses to make His name abide." (Deuteronomy 16:11)
There are many examples of this you can find. For now, let us just
conclude that there is a command of generosity and a promise of
blessing with it. Did the Hebrew people believe this? For an answer to
that let us turn to the oldest book of the bible, no, not Genesis, but
Job. As we read through Job, we see his friends in turn giving Job
reasons why he has been afflicted. Each gives a list of grievances God
has with Job, not taking care of the stranger, widow and orphan being
among them. Then Job replies, and in Chapter 31:13-22 Job says:
"If I have kept the poor from their desire, Or
caused the eyes of the widow to fail, Or eaten my morsel by myself, So
that the fatherless could not eat of it (But from my youth I reared him
as a father, And from my mother's womb I guided the widow); If I have
seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor man without
covering; If his heart has not blessed me, And if he was not warmed
with the fleece of my sheep; If I have raised my hand against the
fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate; let my arm fall from my
shoulder, Let my arm be torn from the socket."
It is pretty clear that this patriarch believed and lived it. This
theme can be found through out the bible. In fact, in Matthew 23:14,
Jesus calls the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for doing the
opposite. Time and again we are reminded to care for the widow, the
orphan and the stranger. I would like to take a look at one more
scripture in this brief study, in these verses, God tells Israel
through the prophet Isaiah what kid of fast pleases Him. In chapter
58:6-9, God says to Israel:
"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To
loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the
oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share
your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor
who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not
hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth
like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your
righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your
rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall
cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'"
That is our call, that is our passion, to see those bonds loosed,
dignity restored, and people set free to pursue their destiny in God's
will. We seek to unite with those of a like mind and purpose as we
pursue this mission to fulfill God's law of love to His chosen people.
(All scriptures NKJV 1996, ©1982. Thomas
Nelson:
Nashville)