Our reading in Deuteronomy underlines for us that we are not to hold too tightly to this world's things. Every seventh year was to be a Sabbatical year. It was a year of release. Slaves you purchased from among your countrymen would be released. Debts would be forgiven. Not only were the Israelites to practice this debt amnesty, but they were to be especially generous at this time, sending their servants away with gifts. Every seventh year the people of Israel would see God's provision for them at a time when they were prohibited by law from providing for themselves.
How does this relate with our New Testament reading? Look again at the parable of the weeds. This is not an example of good human farming methods. It is not a good idea to leave our gardens with all sorts of weeds growing. Yet this is what our Lord does with this world. He allows sin. He allows the work of the enemy to continue. He allows this counter to our human wisdom. Just like the Israelites who grant forgiveness of debts and see that their Lord gives them all they need, we grant forgiveness of sin and see that our Lord has already settled the problem of sin on the cross and will settle the problem of the sinner in the day of judgment.
Have we been shown mercy? Let us then go and show mercy.
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