Leviticus 25:42 For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as slaves. The Law contains other than ceremonial regulations. Many of its precepts are moral in the highest degree, and breathe the spirit of purest Christianity. Indeed, the Christian Church, with the relationship of its members, its benefits, and obligations, is clearly outlined in the nation of Israel; rather, however, sad to say, in its constitution than in actual observance of its conditions. Little alteration is needed to suit the injunctions of this passage to modern circumstances. I. GOD'S SERVANTS ARE SO BY VIRTUE OF WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR THEM. "They are my servants which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt." Redemption from the iron furnace of affliction was the ground on which Jehovah continually claimed the Israelites as his own peculiar property. "I have broken the bonds of your yoke." So God gave his Son as the price of man's ransom from sin, and Christ is said to have purchased the Church of God with his own blood. Paul delighted to call himself a "bondservant" of Christ in the superscription of his Epistles. To the goodness of God the Israelites owed their preservation and their installation in a goodly land. Gratitude constrains to faithful service. We have but to review the past to notice numberless golden bands that attach us to the Redeemer. The matchless character of our God furnishes sufficient reason for executing his commands, but this character is best evidenced by a survey of the deeds of sovereign love that have made us what we are and placed us where we are. II. GOD'S SERVICE PRECLUDES OUR BEING IN BONDAGE. We cannot serve two masters, and if we belong to God, others cannot claim absolute lordship over us. "They shall not be sold as bondmen," for this would signify that God's ownership is disputed. Only the foreigner can be treated as a slave without insulting Jehovah. Slavery is thus really condemned, though permitted with restrictions. The Law must not be too far in advance of the morality of those who are to keep it, lest it overshoot the mark and prove powerless to guide and instruct. What was granted in earliest ages may be altogether unpardonable in days of modern illumination and progress. We shall be judged according to the light we have to direct our steps. The truth shines dearly forth that to serve God is truest freedom. It accords with the noblest dictates of our nature; reason and conscience glorify such obedience. Like the railway train, we fulfill our highest functions, not by deserting but by running upon the lines laid down for our advance. See the warnings addressed to Christians by Jesus Christ (Matthew 8:34), Paul (Romans 6:16), and Peter (2 Peter 2:19). When we are actuated by the suggestions of the tempter, we rebel against God's authority and proclaim ourselves unworthy servants. And to seek to ensnare others or to induce them to act contrary to Divine instructions, is even worse than to have been brought into bondage ourselves. God will not brook these infractions of his majesty. III. THE SERVANTS OF GOD ARE BOUND TO AVOID ALL HARSH TREATMENT OF ONE ANOTHER. Unjust dealing is reprobated. Bad in any case, it is peculiarly offensive here. The people of God are not to forget that they are brethren in the employment of the one master. "If that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming, and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him," is the New Testament version of the command, "Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God" (verse 43). Christian brotherhood is not intended to upset the constitution of a society in a fruitless endeavour after social equalization. Distinction of rank and class is recognized by the Apostle Paul, and proper regard must be paid to those in authority. The servant is not to despise his master because the latter is a brother in Christ; on the other hand, the masters are to forbear threatening, "knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven" (Ephesians 6:9). It cannot be pleasing to Christ to see an unfair advantage taken of a brother Christian's hour of weakness. Such conduct virtually dishonours the Master whom we profess to serve, it offends "one of these little ones." And further, fellow-servants should relieve each other's wants (see verse 35, and margin, "strengthen"). There is a "bond" of union between them, and love and regard for the Master must lead them to see that in giving to the poor they are lending unto the Lord. "One is your Master" (Instructor), "and all ye are brethren." To collect for the Church poor at the observance of the Lord's Supper is a happy recognition of this truth. Many are the vicissitudes of life that befall the most honest and industrious. Changes of fortune merit our sympathy, and the cloud is beautified with rainbow hues when the sun of brotherly love shines athwart its darkness. Another's fate may at any time become our own. How it will mitigate our grief to know that in our season of elevation and prosperity we were not unmindful of the woes of others! "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble." "As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." - S.R.A. Parallel Verses KJV: For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen. |
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