Les Feldick Bible Study

Why did the Israelites have to leave the corners and gleanings of their harvest?

The Israelites had to leave the corners and gleanings because God's law required them not to completely harvest their fields. Those leftover portions were reserved for the poor, so the needy could gather food. This instruction appears in Leviticus 19:9-10.

Les teaches that after the main harvest was taken, the Israelites were instructed not to reap the corners of their fields or gather the gleanings. These were to be left for the poor. He notes this as one of three aspects of the Jewish harvest: the early ripening heads, the main harvest, and the corners and gleanings for the poor. This shows God's provision for the needy.

Leviticus 19:10

And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.