1 PETER 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
WHAT??? Does the Bible justify slavery???
In 2019, The 1619 Project was published.
The 1619 Project, by former New York Times writer Nikole Hannah-Jones, claimed that “America’s true founding took place when slavery began on the continent, not with the Declaration of Independence.”
The 1619 curriculum is free and being used in all 50 states of America.
Today, we have an entire generation that is being taught that:
America is a racist nation
America is systematically racist
America created slavery
The American, white supremist government, fueled and financed the slave trade
The Problem: It's not true! It's not accurate. It's misleading. It's historical revisionism. BUT - it has made a huge impact on many people who don’t know their history.
Bill Maher said...
“The way people talk about slavery these days, you’d think it was uniquely an American thing that we invented in 1619. But slavery throughout history has been the rule, not the exception.” - Bill Maher
“Everybody who could afford one, had a slave – including people of color.” - Bill Maher
“Who do you think gathered the slaves from the interior of Africa to sell to slave traders: Africans, who also kept their own slaves.” - Bill Maher
“And, the capacity for cruelty is a human thing, not a White thing. That’s the truth, even if it doesn’t jive with the current narrative.” -Bill Maher
“The word ‘slave’ comes from Slav, because do many Slavic people were enslaved – and they’re as white as the hallmark Channel.” - Bill Maher
I believe this attack on America's history is really an attack on the Judeo-Christian values that founded America.
SLAVERY IN AMERICA:
1619 - 20 captured slaves were sold in Jamestown, Virginia.
They were “Indentured Servants.
They were expected to work for 7 years - and then they would receive their freedom AND land.
MOST went on to become wealthy land owners.
1651 - Slave trading became legal in Jamestown, Virginia (the Law of the land).
In 1671, 2000 slaves were brought to Virginia to grow tobacco (So they could export 40,000 lbs of tobacco to England)
(TS) But that was JUST Virginia.
There was another settlement up North: Plymouth... (Settled by religious pilgrims. Christians.)
1641 - “Man-Selling” became ILLEGAL in PLYMOUTH.
This new law targeted the African slave trading that was going on.
Plymouth said “NO. Not on my watch!”
In 1646, Plymouth imprisoned Ship owners who transported slave.
1776 - THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” (And they meant it!)
It is “wrong to admit in the Constitution the idea that there could be property in men.” - James Madison
Connecticut’s Roger Sherman called the slave trade “iniquitous”
New York’s Gouvereur Morris denounced slavery in the harshest terms
“Every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant.” - George Mason
These were GODLY men. Greatly influenced by the Great Awakening, and preachers like Jonathan Edwards, and John Wesley, and George Whitefield
1787 - THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 became law by a vote of 17–1.
It provided a path to Statehood for settlements Northwest of the Ohio Valley (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin).
One key element of the law was the PROHIBITION OF SLAVERY for any territory wanting to be included in the U.S.
This is just ELEVEN years after the Declaration of Independence!
And just FOUR years after the end of the American Revolution!
“This was the first time in the history of the world that the principle of equality was so recognized.” - William J. Bennett
By 1787, Massachusetts had abolished slavery.
New Hampshire, Rhoad Island, Connecticut and Pennsylvania - were in the process of doing so.
Emancipation was advancing in New York and New Jersey.
1807 - America became the 1st nation to BAN SLAVE TRADING
Less than 20 years after becoming a nation!
The efforts to end slavery came NOT from America - But from godly men, living out their faith in Jesus Christ, in America.
1861-1865 CIVIL WAR (600,000 Americans died to end slavery)
NOTE: America was never a world leader in the global Slave Trade
Between 1501-1875 - 12.7 million slaves were taken from Africa
43% went to Portugal & Brazil
24% went to Great Britian
15% went to Spain
11% went to France
5% went to the Dutch
2.5% went to the United States
1% went to Denmark
U.S. was guilty. But not a leader
The African Slave Trade was a global epidemic.
This is NOT the history of White America.
It is the history of Humanity (including bad white people AND bad black people, and every other people!)
SLAVERY IN THE BIBLE:
1 Peter 2:18: Ephesians 6:5-7: 1 Corinthians 7:20-23
I say all that because when we think of slavery - we tend to think of American slavery (That is our reference point).
So when we hear “Slaves submit” - we think of the American history with African slaves.
Slavery, during in the New Testament, under Roman oppression, was a little different.
In the New Testament:
- 50% of the Roman Empire were slaves or servant of Rome.
- Slavery was not tied to race (Many slaves looked just like Romans).
- Slavery in Rome was completely different than slavery in America.
3 TYPES OF SLAVERY IN THE BIBLE:
1. Stolen, kidnapped, traded
Example: JOSEPH
Genesis 37:26-28 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.
28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. (NOTE: Joseph, a white guy, was sold to Africans!)
See Exodus 21:16 “Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death." (THIS is what brought slaves to America. They were kidnapped! Stolen! Sold!
This has ALWAYS been condemned in the Bible! The PENALTY for doing this is DEATH
See 1 Timothy 1:9-11 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for adulterers and perverts, for SLAVE TRADERS and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
NOTE: The Bible CLEARLY condemns slave trading! Christianity does NOT promote or justify slave trading! It is an abomination before God
2. Prisoners of War (which is not good. But better than the alternative!)
Example: DANIEL, SHADRACK, MESHACK, ABEDNEGO
3. BOND-SERVANTS (“BOND” indicates there some kind of financial connection)
Example: JACOB
Genesis 29:18 - Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”
Example: Me & the Navy (I agreed to work for the Navy for 6 years, they agreed to pay for some college). They paid $1000 a semester (It wasn’t that great of a deal).
Example: YOU (You are basically a bond-servant to your employer.
You agree to work for them. They agree to pay you.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. SUBMIT
2. BE RESPECTFUL
3. EVEN to masters who are harsh!
(Peter specifically addresses this. Don’t make excuses for your insubordination. Don’t justify your rebellious spirit.
WHY?
1. Because you are conscious of GOD! (Mindful of God)
For the Lord’s sake.... 1 Peter 2:13
2. This is commendable to God (v. 20)
v. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?
But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
3. To this you were called (v. 21)
Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
This is where God has put you for the time being.
It’s not about your harsh Master
It’s about God.
Are you mindful of God?
Do you Trust God?
ANOTHER TYPE OF SLAVERY IN THE BIBLE:
The Hebrews in Egypt (They were not kidnapped... not prisoners of war... not bond-servants)
It’s like the Frog in the Kettle. It happened slowly, gradually, they probably didn’t even see it coming.
But God allowed it.
It was predestined.
It was prophesied in Genesis.
Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. - Genesis 15:13-14
They were CALLED to this. (And it was Hard!)
WHY?
I believe it was to protect them from being influenced by the Canaanites. (The Canaanites were doing things that were repulsive to God).
And to protect them from the bad influences of the Egyptians.
See Genesis 43:32 "They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians."
NOTE: The Hebrews didn’t eat with the Egyptians.
NOTE: The Hebrews didn’t live where the Egyptians lived (They were segregated).
I believe this was part of God’s plan to forge a people for himself - who would not be like the Canaanites. And who would not be like the Egyptians. They would be Distinct. A Chosen people. A people belonging to God. That they might declare the praises of Him who called them out of darkness (But it took a few years of slavery in Egypt to prepare them).
Slavery in Egypt was like a cocoon - protecting them from the influences of the Canaanites and the Egyptians.
Maybe - you think your situation at work is unbearable. Maybe you feel enslaved. But maybe - your situation is a cocoon to protect you... to grow you... to transform you.
Be mindful of God. He’s got you. He has his reasons for where he has you.
You live your life for Him - (Be good, be faithful, be respectful). Bear up under the pain of unjust suffering because you are conscious of God. (v. 19)
Be respectful... Do good. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus
1 PETER 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
CHRIST’S EXAMPLE
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. - 1 Peter 2:22-25
Jesus Did NOT: He did not sin... He did not retaliate... He did not threaten...
Jesus DID:
1) trust God. "...entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (v. 23)
2) kept doing good.
3) He bore our sins. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.” (v.24)
To this HE was called - so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness;
To this WE are called - that we... bear up under the pain of unjust suffering because WE are conscious of God. As Servants of God... Slaves of Christ Ambassadors of Christ...
Living with:
- unjust governments
- unjust bosses
- imperfect spouses
We bare it - because God is using it:
For us
For them
For His glory
CHRIST KNOWS...
The Bible says we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with us.
Jesus says,
“I know what it’s like when they say things that are not true."
“I know what it’s like when a public mob wants to crucify you."
“I know what it’s like when a friend betrays you."
“I know what it’s like when the legal system turns on you."
“I know what it’s like when they’re trying to control you through fear, intimidation and punishment."
“I know what it’s like when you do what is right in the sight of God - and are judged in the sight of everyone else.”
I’m so glad that in a world with suffering we do not worship a God who is immune to it, but has entered into it and experienced it and comes to be with us in our suffering.
4) Jesus suffered FOR YOU
- to redeem you
- to rescue you
- to save you
5) Jesus left an example for us to follow
Jesus' Example: Can you imagine Jesus whining or complaining, "Not fair!" "I'll show you!"
Can you imagine Jesus slandering his accusers... his executers
Can you imagine Jesus retaliating?
NO! Why not? Because he came to redeem those who killed him ("Father forgive them")
You & I (Aliens, Strangers...) Why are we here?
To be His agents, His servants, to bring others to redemption
Jesus was the chosen Lamb of God - to die for our sins.
You & I are a chosen people, a royal priesthood - to declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
You & I are called to live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12)
THIS IS WHY we do not retaliate... we do not threaten... we do not slander.
Peter's Message:
Submit
Be Respectful
Bears up under the pain of unjust suffering
Endure
This is commendable before God
This is how God will make himself known
This is what leads to the miracle of redemption
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We see it in marriages all the time. Spouses can hurt one another worse than anybody (Spouses feel enslaved).
The Marriages that make it are the ones where the spouses submit to one another, respect one another, endure, bear up under the pain of suffering... and trust God (Serve God wholeheartedly)
Let’s Not Justifying Our Anger for the Wrongs Done to Us.
It seems to me that there are a lot of people today, Christians included, who justify their anger, their rebelliousness, their critical spirit, for the wrongs that have been done to them.
There are lots of people who seem to be angry or bitter or critical or slanderous of others.
They want to tell you about
- how badly they have been treated
- or how they’ve been let down
- or how they’ve been hurt.
There seems to be an attitude (even among Christians):
I can use criticism or slander or put-downs or threats or grudges to make sure they get theirs.
It seems to me that less and less do we hear people say, “I will not be bitter, I will not retaliate, I will not criticize or slander; I will return good for evil. I will bless rather than curse.
I think we need to recover this deep biblical teaching - that God has called Christians to endure unjust suffering - without bitterness, or revenge, or the desire to hurt back.
Let us... ...follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21)
