How does Exodus 21:20 guide us in understanding justice and accountability today? The Text in Focus “If a man strikes his male or female servant with a rod and the servant dies by his hand, he must surely be punished.” (Exodus 21:20) God’s Character Revealed in the Law • God values every human life, regardless of social rank (Genesis 1:27). • He demands impartial justice: wrongdoing brings real, proportionate consequences (Deuteronomy 10:17–18). • The law exposes sin and restrains evil, showing society how to reflect God’s holiness (Romans 7:12). Principles of Justice Drawn from Exodus 21:20 • Human dignity is not canceled by servitude; abusing authority offends God. • Life-taking violence receives sure punishment—there is no privilege clause for the powerful. • Justice is concrete, not symbolic; accountability is measurable and enforceable. • The verse undercuts ancient cultural norms that treated slaves as mere property, revealing a higher divine ethic. Accountability Then and Now • In Moses’ day: the master faced legal retribution—“must surely be punished.” The Hebrew verb implies the court would exact a penalty, likely death (Exodus 21:12) or at minimum severe sanctions. • Today: governments remain “an avenger who carries out wrath on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:4). Civil authorities preserve life and deter abuse when they enforce laws against violence. • Personal accountability also endures. Believers cannot hide behind position, culture, or intent when actions cause harm (2 Corinthians 5:10). Respecting Human Dignity Across Social Structures • Masters and employers: “Provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1). • Parents and leaders: discipline is never license for cruelty; God watches the strong and defends the weak (Proverbs 22:22-23). • Workers and servants: worth comes from God, and the same law that guards life calls each person to honorable labor (Ephesians 6:5-8). Harmony with Wider Biblical Witness • Love sums up the law: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39). • James condemns withheld wages and violent oppression (James 5:4-6). • Paul lists slave-traders and violent men among the lawless (1 Timothy 1:8-11). Together these passages confirm Exodus 21:20: abuse is sin, and justice is God’s demand. Modern-Day Application • Anchor legal systems to the equal value of all people; abolish loopholes that shield the influential. • Craft workplace policies that protect employees from physical and emotional harm. • Train church leaders to confront abuse swiftly, using both church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17) and civil reporting when needed. • Support victims with restitution and restoration, mirroring God’s heart for the oppressed (Psalm 146:7-9). • Cultivate personal restraint: authority is stewardship, never a right to harm (1 Peter 5:3). Exodus 21:20, read plainly and taken at face value, still calls every generation to uphold life, punish violence, and reflect the just character of God. |
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