Slavery is an awkward topic to broach in any Christian setting.
To our modern minds, the only kind of slavery the Bible should talk about is the “spiritual” kind. Who today would want to talk about actual slavery?
But the Bible does address actual slavery. In fact, God laid down clear rules for how Israel was to interact with slaves. It would be good to remember that the African and African-American slavery we often think of are but 2 forms of slavery โ there are more.
In the days of the Old Testament, for instance, anyone who was in debt could become a slave to settle that debt. One could also enter into the service of a richer family for social mobility.ย
In any case, God has instituted a particular command for slaves that gives us a clear glimpse into how He wanted the Israelites to think about other people and about themselves.
“When you buy a Hebrew slave,ย he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.”ย (Exodus 21:2 ESV)
On one hand, we might approve of this law and affirm that all people should be free. Yet on the other hand, we might be uncomfortable that someone deep in debt might get off scot-free after 7 years โ no matter how great the amount owed.
I suspect that many will share this discomfort with me. How can you just set someone free like that? Debts must be paid! The amount owed must be restored in full.
Indeed, that’s how we often think when people offend us: “The hurt must be repaid and compensation made!”
How many times have I kept score with those who have offended me? There have been many nights where I run through my accounts, reliving every moment of hurt and offence, and recalling every amount owed.
Yet God’s command in Exodus 21:2 challenges my calculative behaviour and completely subverts my false notions of justice: A slave is to be set free, regardless of the amount owed, purely by the grace of God.
Note that the commands concerning slavery follow right after the Ten Commandments and the instructions for altar worship. What followed after wasn’t laws about theft or murder โ but laws about slavery.
A slave is to be set free, regardless of the amount owed, purely by the grace of God.
Why?ย Because the Israelites were slaves once and brought out of it not by their own good deeds, but purely by the mighty, saving work of God.
And that should shape the way they treat slaves โ being former slaves themselves.
“You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today.” (Deuteronomy 15:15 ESV)
It’s incredible that these are the first civil laws that God lays down for His people. These laws stand in stark contrast to common slavery and financial laws for the period โ take a look at the Code of Hammurabi as well as today’s laws! When was the last time you had your financial debt forgiven?
Yet this is the kind of grace God expects His people to have. After all, it’s the same grace that was first extended to them.
Even now, reading this commandment makes me think of what it means for me practically: What about that time my friend belittled me in public? What about when my church leaders gossiped about me? What about the time those under my charge refused to honour me?
Our hearts must be oriented towards letting those in our debt go free.
It’s no easy thing to let a slave go after 7 years, and I’m not saying that earthly justice doesn’t need to be meted out. I’m saying that our hearts must be oriented towards letting those in our debt go free. We don’t do it out of some mystical altruism, or conformity to popular social trends. We do it because we ourselves were slaves once โ but are now redeemed and set free by God.
Look to Jesus. Remember that at one time you were without Him, a slave to sin and without hope in this world. But by His grace and mercy you were set free (Romans 6:13).ย Jesus paid the price, and He set you free (Romans 6:22-23).
Who must you set free today?ย
