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Slaves

 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, (Ephesians 2:19)

If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.

“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life. (Exodus 21:2-6)

 

In ancient times, slaves were considered members of one’s household, especially if that slave was of one’s extended family and Jews, as descendants of Abraham, were considered all one extended family. So, being declared a member of God’s household includes those who are servants as well as those who are heirs.

Yes, we’re discussing slavery today, but a somewhat broader concept of slavery than what was done to those brought from Africa and sold as slaves, or than what is being done to young folks across the world today, with children being abducted and sold either as slave labor or sex-toys. Like so many other things humans do, there is a range that runs from good to evil. Most slavery is evil because most slavery involves imposition. Slaves must do what they’re told to do. But today’s second passage shows that there’s another possibility: voluntary service.

If I believe in a cause and donate money to it, I don’t resent giving the money. If you come and take my money by force, I’m not going to be happy. I don’t mind doing something to help family or friends. In fact, I might feel left out if not permitted. But if my family or friends leech from me, I’m likely to resent it. In each case, the question comes down to whether I choose to give or to do, or whether I am given no choice. Slavery, then, is ultimately when we are given no choice. We may do the exact same thing that the slave does, but because we choose to, we are not slaves.

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