How should Exodus 21:27 influence our actions towards those we employ or lead? The verse in context “ ‘And if he knocks out the tooth of his manservant or maidservant, he must let him go free for the sake of the tooth.’ ” (Exodus 21:27) What the command taught Israel • God held masters legally accountable for bodily harm done to their servants. • Even “minor” injury—one tooth—required costly restitution: the servant’s freedom. • The statute dignified the servant as a person, not property, and curbed abuse. • It reminded every Israelite that authority is exercised under God’s higher authority. Timeless principles for leadership • Human life and dignity are priceless; any harm done must be made right. • Authority exists to serve, protect, and bless those under it. • Leaders are accountable to God for the welfare of those they oversee. • Compensation and restitution are God-ordained responses when wrong has been done. Practical steps for modern workplaces 1. Guard against harm • Implement safe working conditions, clear policies, and regular training. • Address emotional or verbal harm as seriously as physical harm. 2. Act quickly to restore • If an employee is injured or wronged, take full responsibility, provide medical care, cover costs, and compensate fairly—even beyond legal minimums. 3. Uphold dignity daily • Speak respectfully, listen well, and involve employees in decisions that affect them. • Celebrate achievements and provide pathways for advancement, reflecting the freedom granted in the text. 4. Practice transparent accountability • Invite audits, feedback, and oversight so hidden abuses cannot survive. • Model repentance and restitution when mistakes occur. 5. Lead as servants • Base decisions on Christ’s pattern: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). • Remember that people are image-bearers, not expendable resources. Supporting Scriptures • Leviticus 19:13 — “You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him.” • Deuteronomy 24:14-15 — Pay hired workers promptly; they “cry out to the LORD” if oppressed. • Ephesians 6:9 — Masters are to treat servants the same way, “because He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven.” • Colossians 4:1 — “Masters, supply your servants with what is right and fair.” • James 5:4 — Unpaid wages “have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.” • Matthew 7:12 — “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Living it out today Let Exodus 21:27 shape leadership by making us guardians, not takers, of the well-being of those we employ. Protect, compensate, and elevate others, knowing that how we treat people under our authority is ultimately how we respond to the authority of God Himself. |
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