Laws On Servitude (Exodus 21:1-11) Series

Lots of people have college degrees that ended up doing nothing for them. In a perfect world, they'd maybe teach history, or philosophy, or gender studies, or Old Testament, for a living. Maybe they'd write novels. But in the real world, the only jobs open that pay a living wage are often blue collar. And at a certain point, you have to come to grips with the fact that you might not pay the bills with your dream job. You do what you have to do to survive, and provide for yourself and your family. That might mean working more hours than you want, or getting a second job. But humble yourself, and do what you have to do.

(2) Just because someone is vulnerable, doesn't mean that they can be exploited. The main thing that this law on servitude does, is put limits on how long it can last. No matter how big your debt, you will be free in the seventh year. Your servitude won't last forever.

What we learn from the "law of the daughters," verses 7-11:

(1) In the OT, God makes some allowance for human sin (Matthew 19:8-- but saving this verse for later).

Some women have qualities that are "displeasing," and make some men think twice about marrying them. Masters and sons will break their pledge, and deal treacherously with daughters. Men will find themselves wanting to marry someone else. In the OT, God accepts that these things will happen. He tolerates them.

(2) In the OT, God makes only SOME allowance for human sin.

There are limits to how badly we can sin against one another, and betray one another, and abandon one another. God puts safeguards in place so that the most vulnerable-- and single young girls are right near the top of that list-- can't be mistreated. Young single girls are not really property. They aren't playthings, to be used how you want. They can't be resold to just anyone. They can't be neglected, or mistreated. And they can't even be divorced, as far as I can tell, because they would be incredibly vulnerable. In the OT, God draws a line that can't be crossed, without severe consequences.

(3) What God actually wants, is far more costly. Jesus raises the bar, and explains God's vision for his people:

A) God wants husbands and wives to be faithful to one another. No divorce, no polygamy.

B) God wants people to keep their word. If you make a pledge, you keep that pledge.

C) God wants people to act righteously toward the vulnerable.

If we turn to the NT, it's easy to show that this is what God wants. But even if all we use is the OT, we can see hints of what God actually thinks, by the protections God puts in place for the daughters.

(1) If she's displeasing to the master, the master has to let her be redeemed.

(2) In that situation, she has to be redeemed by a family member, not an outsider.

(3) Once married, the daughter can't be deprived of the things she has a right to-- food, clothing, and conjugal rights.

(4) If she's mistreated, and deprived, she gets to go free, without cost. The purchase price doesn't hang over her head forever.