READ: Ex. 21:1–36: Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them …
The following legal provisions describe life together as a covenant people according to the standard of the LORD, the God of the covenant. Israel is unique as God’s chosen people.
Verses 1–11 deal with the rights and duties of slaves serving Israelites, probably limited to slaves in Canaan, since no slaves are known among the people during the wilderness journey.
The enslavement of an Israelite (Hebrew) results from poverty, whereby one sells oneself or one’s children to another for money in order to serve as a slave. This is an undesirable situation, contrary to the will of the LORD and an expression of disobedience (see the law concerning the poor in Deut. 15).
Nevertheless, the LORD instituted this regulation to limit evil. Can this be compared with the institution of the certificate of divorce because of the hardness of heart (Matt. 19:8)?
Not entirely. There are important differences. First, no one may enslave another Israelite without his explicit consent.
Second, the duration of slavery for a Hebrew is limited to a maximum of six years, after which release follows in the seventh year, unless the slave chooses to remain with his master permanently (vv.5–6). Different rules apply to slaves from other nations.
Verses 12–26 focus on the protection of life. Premeditated manslaughter is punished by death (v.12; cf. Gen. 9:5–6). Striking or cursing father or mother is also punished by death (vv.15, 17).
The same applies to kidnapping. Various forms of abuse are punished with penalties appropriate to their severity. In cases of abuse of slaves, release must follow.
Furthermore, the principle of “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, life for life” applies (vv.23–25). Injury to another person’s animals must be compensated with money.
In all cases, the life given by the LORD is sacred, and justice must be done in cases of intentional harm.
Is it still “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” today? (cf. Matt. 5:38–39)
Sing: Ps. 99:2–3