Do Not Harvest to the Edges

When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien.
I am the Lord your God.

Do not steal.
Do not lie.
Do not deceive one another.
Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God.
I am the Lord.

Do not defraud your neighbour or rob him.
Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.
Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling-block in front of the blind, but fear your God.
I am the Lord.

Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly.
Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
Do not do anything that endagers your neighbour's life.
I am the Lord.

Do not hate your brother in your heart.
Rebuke your neighbour frankly so that you will not share in his guilt.
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbour as yourself.
I am the Lord.

Keep my decrees.

Leviticus: 19:9-8

This ancient account of social justice theory is not just interesting because it demonstrates how our awareness of the demands of social justice has a very long history. It also shows that about social justice in the past was often more sophisticated - even if it is framed in terms of an agricultural economy - than our thinking today. Notice in particular:

1. The priority of making sure the most needy are provided for, but also the way in which this maintains the dignity and the autonomy of the poor - who do not need to beg or receive patronage.
2. The importance of fair dealing and the imperative to not exploit those who work for you by delaying payments.
3. The need to create an environment of dignity and respect for all - especially for those who can easily be taken advantage of.

These observations are all reinforced by the fear of God - his knowledge of all your actions and all your intentions. There is complete awareness that enlightened self-interest is not sufficient to protect those who might be  exploited by the more powerful. The constant refrain - "I am the Lord" - puts everyone in their place, reminds everyone that the power or status in this world is illusory - it justifies nothing and entitles us to no special treatment.