What principles from Exodus 21:2 apply to modern employer-employee relationships? Setting the Verse in Context Exodus 21:2: “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years; then in the seventh year he shall go free without paying anything.” Timeless Principles Drawn • Work is designed to be mutually beneficial, not exploitative. • Employment should have clear terms and limits; ambiguity breeds abuse. • Employers are accountable to God for how they treat workers. • Dignity and freedom are God-given rights, never to be indefinitely withheld. Practical Takeaways for Today • Fair Contracts – Define job scope, hours, and compensation up front. – Honor agreements without shifting terms to gain advantage (Leviticus 19:13). • Reasonable Duration and Rest – Build in seasons of renewal—vacation, sabbaticals, or clear avenues for advancement or transition. – Avoid endless probationary periods or “golden handcuffs” that trap employees. • Respect and Human Dignity – Treat every worker as an image-bearer (Genesis 1:27). – Listen to concerns; address grievances promptly (James 5:4). • Generous Release – When an employee moves on, bless rather than burden: letters of reference, fair severance, timely final pay (Deuteronomy 15:13-14). • Accountability before God – Remember that ultimate oversight is divine, not merely corporate (Colossians 4:1). Supporting Scriptures • Deuteronomy 24:14-15 — prompt payment of wages. • Leviticus 25:39-41 — release from service at the Jubilee underscores God’s priority for freedom. • Ephesians 6:5-9 — mutual respect between masters and servants finds modern parallel in employers and employees. • Micah 6:8 — “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly,” a guiding summary for workplace relationships. |
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