In the socio-economic context of ancient Israel, the practice of selling the beds of the poor to settle debts is a poignant illustration of the hardships faced by the impoverished. This practice is addressed in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, where it is condemned as an example of social injustice and exploitation.

The prophet Amos, in particular, speaks against this practice. In Amos 2:6-8 , the prophet declares, "This is what the LORD says: 'For three transgressions of Israel, even for four, I will not revoke My judgment: because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample the heads of the poor on the dust of the earth and deny justice to the oppressed. A man and his father have relations with the same girl, profaning My holy name. They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge, and in the house of their god, they drink wine obtained through fines.'"

Here, Amos highlights the moral decay and the lack of compassion among the Israelites, who exploit the vulnerable by taking their garments—often used as bedding—as collateral for debts. The law given to Israel explicitly forbade such practices. In Exodus 22:26-27 , it is written, "If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate."

The Mosaic Law was designed to protect the dignity and basic needs of the poor, ensuring that even in debt, a person would not be deprived of essential items for survival, such as their cloak or bedding. The law reflects God's compassion and justice, emphasizing the importance of mercy and care for the less fortunate.

The selling of beds or garments of the poor for debt is not merely a financial transaction but a violation of the covenantal principles of justice and mercy. It underscores the broader theme of social justice found throughout the Scriptures, where God calls His people to act with righteousness and compassion, particularly towards the marginalized and oppressed.

In the New Testament, while the specific issue of selling beds is not addressed, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles continue to emphasize care for the poor and the dangers of wealth and exploitation. James 2:5-6 states, "Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?"

The biblical narrative consistently calls for a community where the needs of the poor are met with generosity and justice, reflecting God's heart for the downtrodden. The condemnation of selling the beds of the poor for debt serves as a timeless reminder of the call to uphold justice and mercy in all dealings.Proverbs 22:27
If you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Profit and Loss
... weary horny-handed sons of toil, often oppressed and ... make darkness visible; a place
where beds of flame ... of knotted burning wire, torturing poor souls; where ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/profit and loss.htm

Oh, How He Loves!
... them; and they have risen from their beds to agonize ... with tears of pity for the poor
blasphemers, and ... less by comparison with these, are often utterly despised ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 56 1910/oh how he loves.htm

Plenteous Redemption
... My censer of praise hath often smoked with incense, and my ... I do not conceive that
this poor world is to be ... We have evidences in the beds of coal underneath the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/plenteous redemption.htm

Vesalius the Anatomist {9}
... he went body-snatching and gibbet-robbing, often at the ... the Paraguay and Uruguay,
where its beds of tangled ... And why were all these poor wretches suffering the ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/vesalius the anatomist 9.htm

The Census and the Journey of the Holy Family
... There were many beds in this house rolled up against the ... She lived as though she
were a poor slave, and ... and secretly ashamed at having spoken so often of their ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/x the census and the.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... Then said Good-will, Alas, poor man ... no more talk but with himself, and that sometimes
sighingly and sometimes comfortably;[58] also he would be often reading in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... the linen and wearing apparel, low beds inlaid with ... made inquiries among their
acquaintances, or poor friends, or ... own flesh and blood, and often settled upon ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... exercising of all thy graces too, but a poor, pitiful, sorry ... the occasion, for they
and he are often one; but ... that this man be arrested for this debt, and that ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... of throats, of being burned in our beds, and of ... Ifs and thy O-buts, O thou poor
benighted Israelite ... our daily weaknesses, our fresh guilt, our often decays, our ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... The author's object is to warn poor thoughtless sinners, not with smooth words,
to ... The career of wickedness has often been so pictured, as to encourage and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

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