God’s concern for the poor is also demonstrated in this law (see notes on Deuteronomy 24:10-11 and Deuteronomy 24:12-13).

Olives (Exodus 27:20) were harvested by beating the branches of the trees with sticks. The ripe olives were gathered when they fell to the ground. This law directed that the trees were not to be beaten a second time. Olives that had ripened since the first beating sere to be left for gleaning by the poor and disadvantaged (see note on Ruth 2:3).

METAPHORICAL OLIVES – Olives were an important crop in Palestine since they provided food for the table and fuel for the small oil burning lamps with which humans were illuminated (see note on Exodus 27:20).

The olive tree is often spoken of metaphorically in the Bible The psalmist described himself as “a green olive tree” (Psalm 52:8) because he was so richly blessed by the Lord. According to the prophet Hosea, in the future messianic age. the blessings of Israel would be “as the olive tree” (Hosea 14:6).

Deuteronomy 24:20 – When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.