Personal Rights under the Law
In Relation to servants
In Relation to daughters
In Relation to crime against others
DBF Sunday Sermon, Exodus 21:1-32, 12/15/02
We hear so much about personal rights today that they seem to be the overshadowing interest of our time.
Many will go to large extremes to protect the right of killers, rapist, polygamist, and any other criminal.
Yet, within this supposedly enlightened society, Where is the screams for the rights of the unborn child who is murdered within his or her mothers womb???
When I joined the Air Force so many years ago, I remember the sergeants telling us that what we once exercised as right were in large part curtailed when we chose to enlist in the military.
You see the right to free speech was tempered by the rules and regulations that military personnel fall under, with the backing of the United States Constitution.
In any orderly society, the peace and unity of that society is governed by laws, and the people of that society are afforded peace and protection under the laws.
If we look at the various areas where the laws have broken down recently Afghanistan, Bosnia, Somalia it is easy to see why these laws are needed.
In many different groups in our society today the rights and feelings of individuals is paramount. It is OK to feel that away, you can feel angry, you have a right to do so, you can hit him because he deserves it or her because she deserves it…
All of it is a lie, a deception, given by the master of deception and one that many continue to fall prey too.
If you ask the same person if they did something offensive to another would they deserve to be beaten and you would get quite a different response.
You see, half truths are FULL LIES.
Today we will was as the nation of Israel receive instruction for their cultural and life situations around 1447 years before the birth of Christ. If you think the laws are harsh I would refer you to the Code of Hammurabi and the Hittite Codes. Although very similar they do not give the High view of the nature of God and HIS requirements upon HIS “set apart” people.
In Relation to servants
Exodus 21:1-6 (KJV)
Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. [2] If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. [3] If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. [4] If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. [5] And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: [6] Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Now these are the judgments (ordinances) which thou shalt set before them…Similarly to what was established as a Democracy some 270+ years ago here in the United States, some would with some validity argue that what might have been meant was a Theocratic democracy, a governing under the sovereign will of God.
Personally, I feel we would be much better off today had we, but that is just my feelings.
This is exactly what was formed at Mount Sinai, a government who’s rulers were directly answerable to God and these rules were given so that they might understand the basis for judging matters that might come before them.
Being in courts and listening to the decisions of man, which gives man every right under the sun was never the intent of the law of God, our Divine Sovereign.
If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing…Every Israelite was free-born; but slavery was permitted under certain restrictions.
An Hebrew might be made a slave through poverty, debt, or crime; but at the end of six years he was entitled to freedom, and his wife, if she had voluntarily shared his state of bondage, also obtained release.
Should he, however, have married a female slave, she and the children, after the husband’s liberation, remained the master’s property; and if, through attachment to his family, the Hebrew chose to forfeit his privilege and abide as he was, a formal process was gone through in a public court, and a brand of servitude stamped on his ear for life, or at least till the Jubilee.
Psalm 40:6 (KJV)
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Deut. 15:17 (KJV)
Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
This is what Paul speaks too as he states he is a bondservant of Jesus Christ. We are all called to become bondservant’s. Philip. 1:1 (NKJV)
Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ…
This bondservant gives himself fully to his master with no encumbrances, fully to the work that is set before him in his master’s house. This is a beautiful picture of what we are called to be and to do…be fully committed to the “Cause of Christ” our great Mediator and Hope.
I am also amazed at the time line God sets for the number of years, 6 and on the 7th freedom is given. This must surely remind you and me of the 6 days of creation and the 7th day of rest.
This could also be used to show stewardship to someone who had practiced unwise stewardship and placed himself and his family in jeopardy. Being under a wise person’s guidance for 6 years could be a great apprenticeship for life.
In Relation to daughters
Exodus 21:7-11 (KJV)
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do. [8] If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her. [9] And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters. [10] If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish. [11] And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money.
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do… Contrary to what some might seek to argue here, God granted justice and equality to women, hither fore unheard of.
Remember that in the surrounding cultures women had little to no rights. This ordinance allowed that young women could be chosen as a wife or a daughter in law, and insured her care or her freedom.
God included provisions for the errant heart of man in this ordinance that if the man chose another wife also, then he necessarily had an equal obligation to this maidservant.
God did not command that men do so nor does this approve of the practices of the Ancient Near East by God.
God’s perfect union is between one man and one women, becoming one completion.
Should she have been betrothed to him or his son, and either change their minds, a maintenance fee must be provided for her suitable to her condition as his intended wife, or her freedom instantly granted.
God has surely esteemed the roles of women and holds them in very high regard. Their roles as teachers of our young children and young women are invaluable. Always give Godly women their due respect and honor.
In Relation to crime against others
Exodus 21:12-32 (KJV)
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. [13] And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. [14] But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
[15] And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
[16] And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
[17] And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
[18] And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed: [19] If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.
[20] And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. [21] Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.
[22] If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. [23] And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, [24] Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, [25] Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
[26] And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake. [27] And if he smite out his manservant’s tooth, or his maidservant’s tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth’s sake.
[28] If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit. [29] But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death. [30] If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him. [31] Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him. [32] If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death…I sometimes think what an amazing time we live in. People can actually get up on National News and talk about a murders right to have every reasonable (meaning way over anything that most people would consider reasonable ((unreasonable))chance to have their murder conviction overturned).
God’s word is very plain on this issue and anyone who calls themselves a Christian needs to be aware of it. Every man that kills another man, shall surely be put to death.
Leviticus 24:17 (KJV)
And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.
This refers specifically to someone who intends to murder someone, lays in wait and kills them. This does not refer to someone that God has called to serve in any position including a military position that may require you to take a life to preserve this nation “Under God”. God has called several men and women to go to war and take lives.
He called David, Gideon, Joshua, Deborah and Barak, and the nation of Israel on several occasions to do just that.
God does not view the taking of the life of an enemy combatant in a war that HE has ordained in the same light as murder of an innocent.
he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death…This again shows God perfect order, and what he wishes for all of us.
Watching Nickolodeon or the Simpsons, I often think that the people responsible for some to this program will have an interesting time when they kneel before God at the final judgment.
This is something that I think we as a nation have really turned upon it’s head.
Instead of reacting in the manner that God would have wanted us to react, we have completely come up with new ordinances that even the people that serve children agree is not always best and often brings way more harm to the youth and families than it brings good. This does not change the seriousness by which God views these acts.
Leviticus 20:9 (KJV)
For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
God’s ordinance mandated respect for ones parents and did not allow striking them.
While I do not in any way advocate Child Abuse, I do know that proper discipline applied fairly throughout the life of a child does allow the child to develop healthy respect for themselves and others. We are all called to provide proper discipline within our homes so that our children do not stumble into these areas deserving of death.
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death...You will not kidnap another for ransom or for profit and anyone associated with this act, the buyer, the taker, or anyone else materially assisting God calls for their blood as well.
Deut. 24:7 (KJV)
If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.
You know as the children of God, we are called to become mediators for all through prayer and actively seeking after the lost. Therefore, if all men are our brothers we need to be really careful of any actions we are involved in…Amen.
[18] And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed: [19] If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.
[20] And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. [21] Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.
[22] If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. [23] And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, [24] Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, [25] Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
We have requirements towards the orderly conduct of our lives towards one another and God shows us that there are consequences for our behavior in this life. If we harm someone than we bear a responsibility in helping them and their family until they are well and able to care for themselves.
God’s law is vastly superior to the law in this land today. Most courts will only consider minimal restitution, and that normally towards property only.
God took into account all aspects of the good and healthy life that HE intends for us all to have.
We also once against see God’s protection for women harmed by men and harm of unborn children is punished by God.
Yes, God sees the unborn life as something of immense value and possibility. We who call ourselves Christians, if we say we believe the total inerrant word of God, the Bible must believe likewise. If not you stand against God and HIS word. Let us not be found in this light.
Of course, to believe God’s word requires each of us to come to a point in life where we know that we are lost and in need of salvation.
Are things happening around you that make you feel you have no control in your life today?
There is truly only one way that you or I can get any control in our lives.
We must start by acknowledging that we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God, and ask forgiveness of our sins. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But I’m good you might say, well those are God’s words we are all sinners deserving of death and Hell.
Yet if we believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, our only advocate before God and ask HIM into our hearts and commit our lives to the Lord so that HE begins to remake you and I into HIS image. We then will start to walk in newness of life in Christ.
If you would like to pray this prayer we ask you to come forward or for any other prayer needs. Remember Jesus always stands at your hearts door knocking, only you can let Him in. Only through HIM can we truly keep God’s ordinances.
Closing Prayer.
