Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 21-22

Highlight Verse:

“If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭21‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s go straight to the elephant in the room – slavery was legal then.

The rules in this chapter and elsewhere didn’t make slavery right or okay in the eyes of God.

They did represent a huge step toward fairness.

While a slave was obligated to serve their master, men were given freedom in the seventh year.

After that, they were allowed to stay on to stay with their family.

Notice that it was the master who was to pierce the ear of the slave using an awl or large needle on the door post of the house.

That implies an obligation on the master’s part as well.

The slave was obligated to serve the master; the master was obligated to treat the slave fairly and to provide for their needs.

Again, it sounds barbaric by today’s standards but in those days, it gave the slave unprecedented rights.

I see two applications to this passage:
• First, employers and employees are obligated to serve and provide for each other.
• Second, we should always consider the context when we seek God’s intent for a passage.

How do you think employers should treat their employees?
Do you agree or disagree about the context and meaning of this passage? Explain please.