Remember You Once Were Slaves

Liberating Gospels Freedom in Christ Jesus Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)  Deuteronomy 15:12-15 The Voice 12 If a fellow Israelite, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you as a slave, only make that person serve you for six years. In the seventh year, set him free from your service. 13 And don’t send him away destitute! 14 Provide generously: give sheep and goats, grain, and wine. Give some of what the Eternal your God has blessed you with. 15 Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and He liberated you from another master so you could serve Him. That’s why I’m commanding you today to do this. For Reflection These Slavery laws pertained only to the Hebrew enslaved person, who was more like an indentured servant. The length of indenture was nominally six years. After the debt is worked off, the landowner is recommended to send the former servant free with sufficient resources to escape poverty. Other enslaved people were considered property of the landowner.  The prophet Amos criticizes debt bondage, referring to it as “selling the poor for shoes” (Amos 2:6). Deut 23:16 forbids the return of a runaway slave to his master. 2Kgs 4:1-7 tells of a widow whose children, the prophet Elisha saves from a creditor’s seizure by miraculously producing olive oil that she uses to pay off the debt. Thus, although the Bible takes slavery as a given, it attempts to humanize the institution and even sporadically expresses how the world might be a better place without it. Pray Pray, and let the Holy Spirit guide your life. Pray for and treat those indebted to you with grace and hospitality. Remember, you two owe a debt to all the people who have gotten you out of a jam or enabled your success. Forward to a friend     Sign up for our mailing list!