Exodus 34:20

 

In Exodus 34, verse 20, Yahweh instructs the Hebrews that under His listed religious laws, the Lord requires that everyone bring offerings to Him, perhaps to the temple. Here is this short quote from my The New American Bible: “. . . No one shall appear before me emptyhanded.”

 

My response: I do not know how the priests of the temple managed this, but it seems obvious that the poor and dispossessed may have to appear before God emptyhanded, because they have not material gifts, no possessions, no food offering for God.

 

Still, God is merciful, practical and sensible: if the gift that a poor woman had to share ( a private prayer of praise, or do some volunteer work at the temple) was all that she had to share with Yahweh, then she should share that gift, and Yahweh would be tickled to receive it. Even if she stopped in the pasture before the temple and picked up a quartz stone or picked some wildflowers to offer Yahweh as a gift, that would be accepted and appreciated by Yahweh, for the gesture is worth far more than the value or price of the offering.

 

The priests and wealthy worshipers should not impugn her for her modest but heartfelt offering.

 

Here is this same verse from the Holy Bible (KJV): “ . . . And none shall appear before me empty.”