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THE KEEPING AND RELEASE OF SLAVES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7
Deuteronomy 15:12-18

Job 31:13-15

 

“…did not one fashion

us in the womb?”

 

THE KEEPING AND RELEASE OF SLAVES
 
Servants also who worked as bond slaves had their rights. They were not slaves per se but they were like hired servants who worked under different conditions. They were given an opportunity to make a decision after serving for six years. When they decided to leave, they did not leave empty-handed. The master would give them some substance so that they could start a new life. The Hebrews were allowed to keep slaves of their own kin, but these were also allowed to exercise their rights. A Hebrew slave could serve only for six years and thereafter would be set free, but they would not go empty-handed. Moses said to the masters in verse 14, “Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.” This would enable him to start life anew and when they prospered, the generosity would not be in vain.
 
Israel was to remember that they were also bondmen before in Egypt, possessing no land of their own. They had no rights and their masters had no consideration for their future. The Lord was now giving them land and many things that they desired to have. He thus wanted them to reciprocate God’s favour by treating their slaves humanely. He wanted to see if they truly loved Him, and thus would obey Him.
 
On the other hand, if the slave chose to remain with the master after six years, then the master should take an aul and thrust it through his ear against the door and he would be his servant for ever. The same also applied to the maidservant. Moses added again that it should not be seen as a burden to release a slave and give him a sizable gift. A slave was worth a double-hired servant. When the masters did justice to them, then the Lord would also bless them. The treatment of slaves in heathen nations was far below what the Lord had spelt out here. This is because the Law of God is superior to all of man’s laws.
 
THOUGHT: All people are God’s moral creatures and deserve equal treatment.

PRAYER: Father, may I show Thy true love to all people.

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