How can Exodus 21:20 inform our approach to modern legal and ethical issues? “If a man strikes his male or female servant with a rod and the servant dies at his hand, he must surely be punished.” Context and Setting • Part of the Sinai civil code, detailing case laws that apply the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). • Addresses masters and servants in an agrarian society, setting limits on authority and safeguarding life. Foundational Principles Revealed • Sanctity of human life—no person’s life is expendable (Genesis 1:27; Exodus 20:13). • Personal accountability—authority figures are not above the law; wrongdoing demands real consequences (Numbers 35:30–31). • Proportional justice—punishment must fit the crime, protecting both victim and community from unchecked violence (Deuteronomy 19:21). • Protection for the vulnerable—God’s concern extends to those with less social power (Deuteronomy 24:14–15). Modern Legal Applications • Abuse laws: Employers, caregivers, and officials must face legal penalties when their actions cause death or severe harm. • Workplace safety: Regulations arise from the biblical impulse to protect subordinates from hazardous conditions (Proverbs 24:11–12). • Equality before the law: The text anticipates modern jurisprudence that refuses special privilege for the powerful (Leviticus 19:15; James 2:1–4). • Human-rights frameworks: National and international statutes against torture and slavery echo the command to punish lethal violence against servants (1 Timothy 1:9–10). Modern Ethical Applications • Corporate responsibility: Decision-makers must weigh the human cost of their policies, valuing people over profit (Colossians 4:1). • Leadership stewardship: Parents, pastors, and supervisors are answerable to God and society for those under their care (Ephesians 6:9). • Advocacy for the oppressed: Believers are called to defend victims of exploitation, reflecting God’s heart for justice (Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8). • Value of every worker: Dignity extends from boardroom to shop floor because each person bears God’s image (Proverbs 14:31). Key Takeaways for Daily Life • Reject every form of violence or coercion; seek constructive, compassionate authority. • Support fair legislation that penalizes abuse and protects the weak. • Model just leadership at home, church, and work, knowing God demands accountability. • Stand with those harmed by misuse of power, embodying Christ’s love and justice (Luke 10:36–37). |
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