How does Exodus 21:2 reflect God's concern for justice and fairness in servitude? Text of the Passage Exodus 21:2: “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve for six years, and in the seventh year he shall go free, free of charge.” Historical Setting • Israel had just been redeemed from crushing slavery in Egypt (Exodus 1–14). • God was forming a covenant community at Sinai, setting them apart from the oppressive practices they had experienced. • Servitude in ancient Israel functioned largely as debt-relief; a person unable to pay obligations could enter indentured service rather than face destitution. Key Observations • Limited Term: six years only—no perpetual bondage. The servant “shall go free, free of charge.” • Guaranteed Freedom: release in the seventh year was not optional; it was mandated, revealing God’s protective heart. • Economic Reset: freedom “free of charge” erased lingering debt, preventing exploitation. • Humane Treatment Presumed: surrounding laws (Exodus 21:20-27) forbid abuse, securing dignity. • Sabbath Rhythm: the number seven recalls the Sabbath day and Sabbath year (Leviticus 25:3-4), embedding rest and restoration into social structures. Links to Broader Biblical Themes • Deuteronomy 15:12-15—expands the same law, adding that the master must furnish the freed servant liberally, “because you were slaves in the land of Egypt.” • Leviticus 25:39-43—prohibits treating an Israelite as a ruthless slave; he is to be regarded as a hired worker. • Job 31:13-15—Job appeals to God’s common creation of master and servant as grounds for justice. • Colossians 4:1—masters are commanded to grant what is “just and fair,” knowing they too have a Master in heaven. • The Exodus pattern—God delivers the oppressed and calls His people to mirror that deliverance in their dealings with others. How the Verse Reflects God’s Concern for Justice and Fairness • Protects the vulnerable from life-long servitude. • Balances creditor rights with debtor dignity. • Embeds mercy (release) in the very structure of labor and economy. • Reminds every Israelite that freedom is God-given and must be shared. • Foreshadows the ultimate liberation found in Christ (Luke 4:18; Galatians 5:1). Takeaways for Today • God expects His people to treat workers and debtors with tangible justice and timely release. • Economic systems must include safeguards for the powerless. • Remembering our own deliverance motivates generosity and fairness toward others. |
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