JUNE 21, Exodus 22:26-27

In Singapore, we do not wear cloaks as this is a hot country. In cold countries, people wore cloaks to protect them from the cold. The weather could be chilly especially at night. Cloaks could be made from thick woolen cloths and had seams at the shoulders with the ends of the cloth forming slits for the arms. For many people, their cloak was their only means of keeping warm at night. It was like a blanket. Without their cloak to cover them, they might freeze to death when the temperature dropped very low.

In today’s Bible passage, God taught the people to be kind to the poor. In those days, it was common to take a neigbour’s cloak as a pledge. What does that mean? It means that when a man lends money to his poorer neighbour, he would take the poorer neighbour’s cloak to make sure he returns the money he borrowed. When the debt was paid, the cloak would be redeemed. But, see how much God cares for the poor. He commanded the lender to bring the cloak back to borrower by the end of the day before sundown. It is because God knows that the borrower will suffer in the cold without his cloak. God warns that He will punish the lender if he fails to bring the cloak back to the borrower. God teaches us not to take advantage of the poor and destitute, but be kind to them. God will hear their prayers and punish those who take advantage of them.

Look at the picture on the left and label the parts. Write the words tunic, cloak, girdle and sandal.

Thought: May I always be kind to the weak and poor.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know some will try to bully the weak or laugh at the poor. Help me never to do such terrible things, but to be kind to them. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.