January 27th | Exodus 21

The Last Half of Exodus

     This week, we are moving into a new section of the book of Exodus. The first 19 chapters read like a historical narrative, but something changes in chapter 20. From this point onward, we encounter numerous laws and specific instructions for building the Tabernacle. If we’re honest, we might say, “I’ll read the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), but the rest of this stuff doesn’t apply to me!” 

      In fairness, there are some things for which I really think I don’t need a law, such as Exodus 23:19:

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

     Honestly, if I had never read that verse, I probably would have never tried it in the first place! If you feel like these laws don’t apply to you, it’s because they are specific case studies for the Israelites. While the Ten Commandments are general principles for all people in all places, the other laws illustrate specific ways these people were to “live out” the Ten Commandments toward God and one another. 

Understanding the Purpose of Specific Laws

      You might be asking, so what is the point? Even though these are specific case studies, they still reveal the heart of God. The more we understand His character, the more we can align our hearts and lives with Him. So, as you read these seemingly mundane case laws, ask yourself, “What is God’s heart in this passage?” Let’s take Chapter 21 as an example.

      Exodus 21:2 says,

"When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing."

     We see a section of Scripture that has been used for centuries to criticize Christianity. People might read this passage and argue, “The Bible condones slavery, and therefore we shouldn’t listen to it.” I remember being in college and hearing people say that the Bible is filled with slavery and ridiculous rules we shouldn't follow; back then, I didn’t have a response. Now, I understand that those who make such claims often don’t seek to understand Christianity or the Bible; they are simply looking for an argument to justify their own sin.

God’s Heart in the Laws

      Keep in mind that these are case laws for a specific time and culture. When we think about slavery, we often envision the horrific practice of stealing people from their homes and forcing them to work for their captors. We know this is evil and wrong because God reminds us in a few verses later, specifically Exodus 21:16 which says,

“Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death."

     So, how do these two verses coexist? The slavery mentioned in this culture was quite different from what we commonly think of today. In that time, there wasn’t bankruptcy or government welfare. If someone failed to pay their debts, they might work as a slave to repay them. While there were other instances, this was not the same as the kind of slavery where individuals were abducted and treated as property. 

     So, what is the principle? We can see God’s heart in this matter. In that culture, people might take this too far, making someone a slave to pay off a debt and then keeping them longer than necessary. Yet, here God states that after seven years, regardless of the debt, these individuals must be set free. This indicates that God cares about all people, even those who have nothing; they still possess dignity and value.

      God reminds the Israelites of this in Exodus 23:9, where He tells them that they were once sojourners or slaves in Egypt. Therefore, they should treat everyone with respect as humans made in the image of God. For us, this reveals God’s heart: that all people have worth based on their humanity, not on their wealth or status. 

      As a church, we should see everyone as equal. We should welcome all individuals to come to Jesus, regardless of their financial standing or socioeconomic status. Would you look at those who you meet today as a human created in the image of God, deserving dignity, respect, and love?