• Biblical Slavery Exodus 21:1-11
• Slavery is Bad. This last Wednesday we as a nation celebrated the end of slavery in America
• December 6 1965 Slavery was abolished in America and rightfully so. Horrible institution
• Slavery still exists today in Modern times. Very little Chattel slavery. But sex trafficking, debt bondage, child labor exploitation, and forced labor still exist. Some estimates in the 30-40m
• The question for us today- Does God condone or did he ever condone slavery, how does that affect how we view the word of God, and how do we apply this scripture to our lives?
  

1. Not an Easy Answer

• Bible is clear:
• Exodus 21: 16 He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.
• Deuteronomy 24:7 If a man is found kidnapping any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and mistreats him or sells him, then that kidnapper shall die; and you shall put away the evil from among you.
• 1 Tim 1:9-10 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,
• But then we have today’s scripture, that at face value, seems to say- If you’re going to have slaves, treat them this way. Seems like God agrees with it, and if he does, that says something
• It appears that the Lord regulated certain undesirable realities in the Old Testament due to the hardness of the Israelites’ hearts, without endorsing those realities He regulated.
• Jesus- in the NT makes a distinction between OLD and NEW Covenant
• Matthew 19:8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
• Jesus make clear that there are differences between what Moses taught and what is eternal
• Moses was not perfect. Jesus was perfect. The word of God is flawless and perfect we are not perfect. It all makes sense to God, it doesn’t all make sense to us. We’re still trying to figure out
• IT is very important for you to understand that there is a difference between the Old and New Covenant. Creates problems, because people want to say “Jesus fulfilled the law” and exempt themselves from all moral restraints and discount every regulation in the Old Testament. 
• There are timeless laws and principles and there are cultural and timebound principles.
• What is the story of the Bible? “The story of the Bible is the account of a holy God, dwelling with a holy people, in a holy land, through the perfect obedience of a federal head.”
• The Character of God; especially God’s holiness.God is holy. Because God is holy, He can never condone or excuse sin. So, what’s going on in Exodus 21?
• Is slavery always wrong? [yes and no seems appropriate: In Biblical times, slavery save some from starvation. It was the only way to pay a debt: see Lev.  23:39; II Kings 4:1; Neh. 5:2] 
• why slavery in the first place? The answer to this is straightforward: sin. It is a matter of disordered dominion (Genesis 1: 26-27).
• Exodus 21 points us to a just, loving, and caring God. God affirms their (slaves’) full humanity; there is absolutely no idea (concept) that they are one’s property: they are not included in the laws governing the loss of property (Ex. 21: 33—22:15) see also 1Cor.7:21; Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22-25; Philem. 18-19). This is different from Chattel slavery where people were considered property.
  

2. Old v New Covenant

• Old Covenant: Establishment: Given through Moses at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24).Foundation: Based on the Law (Torah), including moral, ceremonial, and civil laws. Purpose: To set Israel apart as God’s chosen people and to reveal God’s standards of holiness and justice. Sacrifices: Required animal sacrifices for atonement of sins (Leviticus 16). Law Written: On tablets of stone (Exodus 31:18). Mediator: Moses.
• New Covenant: Establishment: Instituted by Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection (Luke 22:20). Foundation: Based on grace and faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Purpose: To provide a means of salvation for all humanity and to fulfill the Law through Jesus (Matthew 5:17). Sacrifices: Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is once and for all (Hebrews 10:10). Law Written: On hearts and minds (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10). Mediator: Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:6).
• Differences Between Moral, Ceremonial, and Civic Law
• Moral Law: Eternal principles based on God’s character, applicable to all people at all times.
• Examples: The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), laws against murder, theft, adultery.
• Purpose: To reveal God’s standards of righteousness and to guide ethical behavior.
• Continuity: The moral law is fulfilled in Christ and remains relevant as a standard for Christian living (Matthew 5:17-18; Romans 13:8-10).
• Ceremonial Law: Regulations for worship and rituals that symbolized purity and atonement.
• Examples: Sacrificial system (Leviticus 1-7), dietary laws (Leviticus 11), festivals (Leviticus 23).
• Purpose: To set Israel apart as holy and to foreshadow the coming of Christ.
• Fulfillment: Fulfilled and completed in Christ (Hebrews 9:10-14; Colossians 2:16-17). Christians are no longer bound by these laws (Acts 15:28-29).
• Civic Law (it was a Theocracy): Laws specific to the nation of Israel as a theocratic society, including judicial and societal regulations. Examples: Laws on property, restitution, and societal conduct (Exodus 21-23). Purpose: To govern the social and civil aspects of Israelite life and to ensure justice and order. Application: Specific to Israel’s historical and cultural context; principles can inform Christian ethics but are not binding (Romans 13:1-7).
• Old Covenant was based on adherence to the Law given to Moses, involving moral, ceremonial, and civic laws designed to set Israel apart and guide their relationship with God.
• New Covenant is based on faith in Jesus Christ and His fulfillment of the Law, emphasizing grace and internal transformation.
• Moral Law continues as a standard of righteous living.
• Ceremonial Law was fulfilled in Christ and is no longer binding.
• Civic Law was specific to the nation of Israel and its historical context.
  

3. Slavery in the Bible

• Main Points: Hebrew servants serve for six years, released in the seventh year. Conditions of entry and exit (married or single). Option for lifelong servitude out of love for master and family.
• Temporary servitude with an option for voluntary lifelong service. Emphasis on humane treatment and family considerations. Exodus 21:7-11
• Main Points of all slavery scripture: Accountability for mistreatment of servant. Recognition of common humanity and creation by God. Takeaways: Ethical treatment of servants. Emphasis on equality and accountability before God.
• Overall Themes and Regulations: Temporary: Humane Treatment:. Voluntary Lifelong Service: An Provision and Generosity: Protection of Rights: Condemnation of Kidnapping: Equality and Accountability: 
• Slaves are not an ‘asset’ but a responsibility in God’s perspective. Even foreign slaves were to be treated as a part of the family: circumcisedd (Gen. 17:12); took part in family worship (Deut. 12:18
• Why did God not abolish slavery all together? in a way did. After seven years (the year of Jubilee), the slaves were to be set free. Not only that, in Deut. 15:12-18, it’s clear that God wanted the slave to be in a better financial position than when they first entered into slavery, “You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.”(Deut. 15:14).

4. What does it mean

• Here’s what it I think that all means- The descriptions and regulations for slavery in the Bible doesn’t condone it. It merely describes the reality of the society in which they lived
• God, forwhatever reason allowed slavery to continue (probably bc of hardness of heart)
• And the way he regulated it made it seemingly humane treatment within the theocratic nation
• Didn’t make it right or acceptable and it is never described as such (wish it condemned outright)
• What is curious is that all the slaves are described as Hebrew. Hebrew buys Hebrew, has a cost associated with it, allows them to regain their purchase price through labor, but treat humane, and then release forever in the 7th year IDK. Tough tough scripture. 
• Interesting- if you’re in debt (owe what you cannot pay) in US release 7 y from bankruptcy
• Bottom line- we may not fully understand, but it is clear based on NT- Slavery not accepted. 
• Another part of it is that the Nation of Israel was to become a financial powerhouse in the region and it necessitated taking part in the economic structures of the day to advance

5. American Slavery

• There is much truth and fiction about American slavery and it muddies the waters in regards to our Christian witness. Christian people in American owned slaves and used the word of God as justification for it. It is despicable to think about. Most nations histories include slavery. 
• Myth: America had the most slaves Truth: Only 4-6% Myth: Lasted 400 Truth: 246 Myth: All southerners had slaves Truth: 25% Myth: Slavery was a long time ago Truth: only about 150 y
• People were enslaved longer than they have been free in America. 
• https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-06-19/on-juneteenth-separating-fact-from-fiction-in-american-slave-history#:~:text=As%20far%20as%20the%20institution,Three%3A%20All%20Southerners%20owned%20slaves.
• We’re only 2-3 generations away from Slavery. It wasn’t that long ago. 
• 2020: Daniel Smith living son of a slave- Dad married late had kid at 70 https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/07/27/slave-son-racism-george-floyd/
• What matters to our discussion is that Christians took part in slavery throughout time because they did not hold fast to the word of God and took part in cultural norms that they need not take part in.
• Any Christian during that time, who would have been a solid student of the word should have rejected any association with slavery and then stood up to fight it. 
• Christians played a central role in the abolitionist movement of the 19th century, both as slaveholders and as anti-slavery activists. Christians who opposed slavery, known as Christian emancipators, believed that slavery was unjust and evil, and that they feared God’s wrath over it. They used Christian tradition, the Bible, and American ideals to argue against slavery.
• Christians today are unwilling to push back against the culture of the day and live by the word of God in the same way today, the culture is trying to get us to accept things that are against the word of God and many Christians are going along with it instead of living, according to the word of God, the ultimate standard. Using the word of God to justify sexual immorality

6. What do we do

• First: I recently went through a few years where the government made me mad and I’ll still talk about it if you’ll listen. Forced us to get jabs and took our jobs. Who’s still mad about it?
• They didn’t buy and sell us as cattle, tear apart our families for profit for 246 years. 
• Recognize: People still feel some kind of way about slavery and be nice about it
• White people- I’m looking at you. Have some respect for a culture that dealt with it
• Second: Don’t ever think that you have the right to own anyone or their labor
• Better yet- don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought and consider others better than yourself. Live a lifestyle that considers that image deo of all other humans. They have value
• Galatians 3:28 – In Christ, there is neither slave nor free, for all are one in Him.
• Third: Don’t be a slave to sin- be slave to righteousness
• A person who is a slave is owned by another and they tell them what to do
• Ro 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
• If you are not fighting your sinful nature you are a slave to it. Its time for your jubilee Be set free
• A person who is a slave to sin is being controlled by a different master. JC should only be your master
• Christ came to set you free from sin so you could walk in righteousness
• There are too many people who claim to be Christians that continue in sin
• They are slaves to anger, immorality, drugs, alcohol, gossip etc and do nothing to fight it
• You must fight the sinful nature with everything that you have. Do not be in bondage to it. 
• John 8:34-36 – Jesus offers true freedom from the bondage of sin.
• Jesus can make you free from sin! Come to him to be set free
• Fourth: It was Christian abolitionists that did the work to set people free from slavery
• Why don’t you care any bit about people today who are enslaved to sin?
• John 8:34 Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
• There are people who are bound in Sin and slaves to it, and you don’t care. 
• Be a more bold witness. Tell people about the Jesus that set you free. 
• When is the last time you shared the gospel or invited someone to church? Do you not care?
• Five: Become a slave to righteousness
• Hebrew slaves had the option to choose lifelong servitude out of love for their master (Exodus 21:5-6).
• Believers willingly submit to Christ’s lordship, motivated by love and gratitude for His sacrifice 
• We have been given our freedom, lets use it to serve Jesus faithfully. To be on fire for him. 
• Philippians 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
• As Christians, we are not forced to do anything against our will. We choose righteousness
• We choose to serve, give, attend. We choose to worship. God does not force us
• So we become bondservants. We choose to serve Jesus as our Master because we love him
• He loves us, and we are able to live a life in gratitude. We have been set free, but we choose to stay. 
• Be a slave, but be a slave to righteousness and be a bondservant of Christ. Serve him faithfully