Today we are reading Exodus 21. In this chapter we read about laws regarding slavery. ““Now these are the rules that you shall set before them. When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out alone. But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.” Exodus 21:1-6 ESV This chapter makes it seem that slavery is acceptable to God. Actually, this is not true. Slavery is an obvious violation of the command to love our neighbor. In the history of slavery, as far back as there are records, slavery has been commonplace. It was so rampant and distasteful that these laws sought to make it impossible or difficult to have slaves and provided opportunities for freedom. In the movie, Sound of Freedom, the horrible reality of human trafficking is revealed. The sin of slavery continues in our present age. How can you help to abolish slavery? God has set us free from sin May God use us to set others free! Pastor Tim
