Judges, Ruth: Revised Edition (The NIV Application Commentary)

by K. Lawson Younger

In the Old Testament, God established at least two ways through which widows could have their needs met. (1) On a yearly basis, special considerations in the harvesting of fields, orchards, and vineyards were to be followed. Deuteronomy 24:19–22 delineates these: When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.