Topical Bible: Servants: Slaves or Bond: Sometimes Rose to Rank and Station

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the institution of servitude, including slavery and bonded servitude, was a prevalent social and economic structure. The Bible provides numerous accounts of individuals who, despite their status as servants or slaves, rose to positions of significant influence and authority. This phenomenon underscores the complex nature of servitude in biblical history, where divine providence and personal integrity often intersected to elevate individuals beyond their initial circumstances.

Joseph in Egypt

One of the most notable examples is Joseph, the son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and taken to Egypt. Despite his status as a slave, Joseph's integrity and God's favor led him to rise to a position of great authority. Genesis 39:2-4 states, "The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did, Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned." Eventually, Joseph became the second most powerful man in Egypt, as Pharaoh appointed him to oversee the land during a time of famine (Genesis 41:40-41).

Daniel in Babylon

Daniel, though not a slave in the traditional sense, was taken captive to Babylon and served in the king's court. His unwavering faith and exceptional wisdom led to his rise in rank. Daniel 6:3 notes, "Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom." Daniel's account illustrates how God can elevate His faithful servants even in foreign and oppressive environments.

Nehemiah in Persia

Nehemiah, another Jewish exile, served as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. His position, though one of servitude, was one of trust and influence. Nehemiah leveraged his position to gain the king's favor and secure permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:4-5). His leadership and dedication to God's people highlight the potential for servants to impact their communities positively.

Esther in Persia

Esther, a Jewish woman who became queen in Persia, also exemplifies the rise from humble beginnings to a position of influence. Though not a servant in the traditional sense, her account parallels those of servants who rose to prominence. Esther used her position to save her people from destruction, demonstrating how God can use individuals in positions of servitude or subordination for His purposes (Esther 4:14).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of servitude is addressed with a focus on spiritual equality and service to Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often refers to himself as a "servant of Christ" (Romans 1:1) and encourages believers to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). The early Christian community included both slaves and free individuals, and the message of the Gospel emphasized their equal standing before God (Galatians 3:28).

Conclusion

The biblical narrative demonstrates that servitude, while a reality of the ancient world, did not preclude individuals from rising to positions of influence and authority. Through divine intervention and personal integrity, many servants and slaves played pivotal roles in God's redemptive history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 10:7
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Chaldaean Civilization
... The adoption was sometimes prompted by an interested motive ... Labour was expensive,
slaves were scarce, and children ... took the place of hired servants, and were ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... when he was gone out, his servants came; and ... raided the villages, and pushed, sometimes,
their skirmishing ... is his strength." From this victory rose the first ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... stranger who had thus treated her servants, took her ... metals, gleanings of the
battle-field, slaves and productive ... them up in his sanctuary; sometimes he would ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... Satan, by one of his own slaves, wounded a conscience ... stigmatizing me as a person
of THAT rank that need ... greatly blessed, because they were the servants, as I ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... are used this way, and also sometimes that, to ... not under the consideration of vagabonds,
slaves and sinners, but as sons, stewards, and servants of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... women and children of the best families were made slaves; some of ... Kakzi, sometimes
read Kalzi ... El himself, Besheph, Hadad, and the Cabin, the servants of Besheph ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

part i
... which were left by those who have died long ago, and which sometimes still live ... death,"
[10] because it kills the soul, because it makes us the slaves of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

part ii
... then should not we, God's servants, labour for ... God; by the despondency, weariness,
and sometimes unbearable anguish ... that He suffered, died, and rose from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm