DAILY TEXT, From today Saturday February 18, 2023, Do not curse a deaf or put an obstacle in front of a blind man (Lev. 19:14).

DAILY TEXT, From today Saturday February 18, 2023, Do not curse a deaf or put an obstacle in front of a blind man (Lev. 19:14).

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Saturday February 18

Do not curse a deaf person or put an obstacle in front of a blind person (Lev. 19:14).

Jehovah wanted his servants to be considerate of those with physical limitations. For example, he told the Israelites not to curse a deaf man, either by threatening him or by wishing him ill. To do that would be a great evil! By not hearing what they said about him, the deaf man could not defend himself. Furthermore, in Leviticus 19:14 we read that God told his people not to put "an obstacle before a blind man." A reference work comments on people with physical limitations: "In the ancient Middle East, people used to take advantage of them and mistreat them." Maybe someone put an obstacle in front of a blind man to hurt him or to make fun of him. How cruel! With the command at Leviticus 19:14, Jehovah helped his people see that they should treat those with limitations compassionately. w21.12 8, 9 pars. 3. 4.

How can we treat those who have physical limitations with compassion?

Jesus treated those with physical limitations with compassion. Let us remember the message he sent to John the Baptist: "The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised." And, upon seeing the miracles of Jesus, “all the people […] praised God” (Luke 7:20-22; 18:43). Christians gladly imitate Jesus and are kind, compassionate, and patient with those who have physical limitations. Of course, Jehovah has not given us power to perform miracles. But he has given us the honor of giving those who are physically or spiritually blind good news: that soon there will be a paradise where humanity will enjoy perfect physical and spiritual health (Luke 4:18). This message is already causing many to praise God.

How does Leviticus chapter 19 help us understand what the Ten Commandments said?

Some verses in Leviticus chapter 19 give more details that help us understand what the Ten Commandments were saying. For example, the eighth simply said, "Do not steal" (Ex. 20:15). Someone might conclude that, in order to obey that commandment, it was enough to make sure you didn't take anything that wasn't yours. But he could be stealing in other ways.

How could a merchant violate the eighth commandment?

A merchant could affirm with conviction that he had never kept anything that did not belong to him. But did he always behave honestly in his business? At Leviticus 19:35, 36, Jehovah said: “Do not be dishonest in measuring length, weight, or volume. Use exact scales, exact weights, an exact measure for dry products and an exact measure for liquids.” If a merchant used inaccurate scales or measurements to deceive his customers, he would actually be stealing from them. This becomes even clearer when analyzing other verses in the 19th chapter of Leviticus.

How did Leviticus 19:11-13 help the Jews apply the principle behind the eighth commandment, and how does it help us?

(Read Leviticus 19:11-13). Leviticus 19:11 begins by saying, "Do not steal." And verse 13 connects theft with dishonesty in business by saying, "Don't let your neighbor down." So, if someone is dishonest in his business or labor dealings, he is stealing. The eighth commandment forbade stealing, but the details Leviticus added helped the Jews understand how they could apply the principle on which that law was based. It is good that we meditate on how Jehovah views dishonesty and theft. Ask yourself, “In light of Leviticus 19:11-13, should I make any changes, especially in my business dealings or work habits?”

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