Introduction

One of the things I really enjoy doing with the ministry the Lord has blessed me with is answering questions of believers and unbelievers alike. The questions people have never cease to amaze me; most I have never even considered myself.

This QFTBOC (Questions From the Body of Christ) series are articles from these questions I have received and will be in a question and response format.

If you or someone you know has a question pertaining to the Word of God – theology, difficult passages, eschatology, etc. – I would really like to hear from you.

If I end up using your question, and you would like to have your name and/or place of residence listed on the question in the article, please specify with your submitted question; otherwise, if I use your question, it will be listed as “Anonymous.”

Regardless, I will make every attempt to answer every person’s questions in a response to the emails I receive. Depending on volume, it may be a little while until you hear back from me, but my intention is to respond to all inquiries.

Other articles in this series are: QFTBOC: Civil Disobedience and Patriotism, QFTBOC: Memory – Fully Retained or Total Reset?, QFTBOC: Psalm 91, Protection, & God’s Will, QFTBOC: God’s Chastisement of His Children, QFTBOC: What’s Satan’s Problem?, QFTBOC: Can We Know Another’s Salvation?, and QFTBOC: Childbirth Purification & Christ.

Question

Hi Mark,

I am enjoying your articles and have shared them with my sisters. We love to discuss what we read and our thoughts on them.

My question is about slavery from a Biblical view. Israel was in slavery in Egypt while God was building them into a nation. Then later, God said an Israelite could sell themselves into slavery to another Israelite. It is the ownership of another person I am thinking about, as in our country in previous years.

In the New Testament, slavery is mentioned again and includes ownership.

Since God gave us all free will, it is difficult for me to think about ownership of another person for their lifetime. What does God say about slavery as ownership?

Thank you for taking the time to help me understand God’s Word.

Anonymous

Response

Thank you for your email and excellent question!

The very first foundation we must lay is that slavery in Israel is not the slavery most nations and cultures are familiar with. In fact, slavery in Israel wasn’t slavery by our modern-day definition. In essence, slavery in Israel was something that would be akin to an employer and employee relationship in today’s world.

But before we get there, let’s discuss Israel’s situation in Egypt.

Israel in Egypt and Slavery

In Biblical typology, Egypt represents the world and Israel, of course, the people of God. Therefore, as the people of God, Israel was living “in the world” and were slaves to it.

Historically, God had told Abraham concerning his descendants:

“And he [God] said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance” (Genesis 15:13-14).

Therefore, God’s plan was that Israel would be in Egypt for 400 years – mostly under affliction – and God would redeem His people and lead them into the promised land and be a priestly nation in the sight of the Gentile world. The idea was for Israel to draw the other nations to the Lord, but we know that they failed miserably in this endeavor.

This is exactly what God is doing with His people now. Christians (Jews and Gentiles) are in the world (Egypt) under the bondage of the world’s system, and God will ultimately lead us into His promised land. Of course, until then, our mission isn’t much different; we are to serve the Lord, share the gospel, and bring others into the Lord’s Kingdom.

The slavery that Israel experienced in Egypt is very similar to slavery known to the rest of the world down through the ages.

Now, let’s look at “slavery” in ancient Israel.

‘Slavery’ in Ancient Israel

It should be noted, first of all, that there was slavery in the purest sense in Israel when it came to the inhabitants of the land of Canaan and other parties of war. These people, when God gave approval, could be used as bondservants or slaves. But, remember, these individuals’ only other choice would have been death. Therefore, it was actually an act of mercy in most of these cases.

Here is the passage:

“Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour” (Leviticus 25:44-46).

Israeli Servants

Slavery, or indentured servanthood, in ancient Israel was much different than the slavery of the world. In Israel, if someone were to come into a financial crisis, they had the option of selling themselves to another Israelite to work off any debt they may have incurred. This system was a just system and was beneficial to both parties involved if done in accordance with God’s laws. This should not be known as “ownership” as much as “paying off a debt.”

This is the reason God instituted the seven-year redemption policy. Six years to pay off a debt and freedom on the seventh. This policy was to be considered in all situations. Here is the passage containing these laws:

“If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. 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. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: 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” (Exodus 21:2-6).

In the following passage, we see the law for those with large debts that could not be paid off in six years:

“And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile. And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return. For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen. Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God” (Leviticus 25:39-43).

The “year of Jubile” was a system of service from an individual or a family for 49 years and released on the 50th year. All bondservant debts and duration of service were calculated based on how much time was left before the Jubilee year.

The Israelites, as God’s people, were to treat each other with justice and respect in regard to these laws. God’s people were His servants:

“For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 25:55).

Unfortunately, Israel, in their apostasy, did not honor this law:

“Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondmen, saying, At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee; and when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear” (Jeremiah 34:13-14).

The truth is, slavery has been a man-made institution since the beginning, but it was God’s people and God’s laws that began the process of ending barbaric slavery in the world — especially when Christianity thrived!

Christianity was the tool God used to convict the world of this heinous and cruel institution, and born-again men and women were those vessels that propelled that change. Although slavery is still very much alive – most regrettably – in many parts of the world, even today.

There are many things in the Bible that, just because God didn’t “condemn” them outright, doesn’t mean He approves of them or they are within His will. Polygamy would be a great example of this. We know God’s will is for one man and one woman, but God knows man’s tendencies and works His will through the many ways that He has dealt with mankind through the centuries.

What was once tolerated or allowed in the past (for whatever reason known only to Him) is now revealed to be something entirely different in the present. Essentially, God has dealt with mankind in different ways, through different ages, and for different reasons.

This doctrine is known as “Dispensationalism” and is defined as such:

A dispensation is a way of ordering things—an administration, a system, or a management. In theology, a dispensation is the divine administration of a period of time; each dispensation is a divinely appointed age. Dispensationalism is a theological system that recognizes these ages ordained by God to order the affairs of the world. (gotquestions.org)

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).

No one understands man’s depravity more than our Creator does, and He knows the proper way in which He will deal with each situation, in each dispensation, according to His divine plan. This we can trust!

Conclusion

The sad truth is, slavery is still alive and well today in many forms, functions, and degrees. Even in the United States, human and sexual trafficking is abundant, albeit under the radar in most cases. The human heart is just as Jeremiah said it was:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

Slavery has been a human institution, apparently, since the fall of man, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Treating slaves with respect, with the exception of Israel, was unheard of. For this, we give glory to God. For without Him and His leading through the nation of Israel and, ultimately, Christian influence, this unsavory history of mankind would still be in every corner of the world. While it is manifest, it is not completely prevalent.

But we would do well to remember that Scripture truths often reveal spiritual truths. We, like the Apostles – and as Israel was and is supposed to be – are slaves/servants of the Almighty God of creation, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:1a)

“Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ” (Jude 1a)

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1a)

“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1a)

We all are servant to something – whether man, sin, Satan, or God – and we all serve at the behest of something or someone greater than ourselves:

“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34).

For whoever wants to be greatest in service to our Lord should note:

“And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all” (Mark 10:44).

Now, we are no longer servants to unrighteousness, but unto the Lord:

“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness… But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Romans 6:18, 22).

Just as our Lord said that we would “have the poor with [us] always” (Mark 14:7), so, too, will slavery and indentured servanthood, as this is a picture of Messiah Jesus as Servant of all.

“Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high” (Isaiah 52:13).

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6).

After all, our Creator, Lord, and Savior was our perfect example of servanthood:

“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

May we all continue to be conformed to the image of Christ as we serve our loving Master with our whole being!

Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!

• If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ and are seeking answers about God, Jesus Christ, the gospel, and salvation, please email me at mab10666@yahoo.com for information.
• I am still taking questions for the Questions From the Body of Christ If you or someone you know has a question pertaining to the Word of God – theology, difficult passages, eschatology, etc. – I would really like to hear from you.
• A listing of past articles may be found at my Article Listings on Rapture Ready or my Home Page on FaithWriters.

“They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Revelation 12:11b).

A conversation with someone I love very much, earlier this week, prompted me to do some thinking about how I communicate with people who are not saved in the Blood of the Lamb. Like any other group of people, Christians tend to speak to each other in a sort of jargon, a kind of ‘shop-talk,’ as it were. Mature Christians who constantly study the Bible don’t have to explain, for example, “The Blessed Hope” to others of like mind. It will be understood that those words point to the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). But that’s just one aspect of what I’m talking about here. In speaking with non-Christians, we ought never to presume that they understand what we mean. Some things probably need to be spelled out.

Those not familiar with the whole story of the Bible, especially if they are not yet in the Body of Christ, can have a tendency to mock our desire to be with Our LORD. This person told me that something I had written was very dark, indeed, and that he, on the other hand, though not born again, had more of a tendency to see things in an uplifting and joyful way than I did. And then he said, “It is why I don’t go to church. I’d rather feel lifted up and joyful. I don’t get that in church.”

After careful consideration of this conversation, I had to agree with my challenger somewhat. His observation of my worldview is indeed accurate to a certain degree. It’s true that while I still see the amazing beauty of God’s creation, I also see the darkness of the “evil that men do” descending over it. While I still enjoy a hearty belly laugh, a beautiful song to hear and sing, watching a hummingbird feed, feeling the texture of a lily, petting my oh so soft cat, looking into a newborn baby’s eyes, hearing the laughter of little children, and the love of my husband, I can, at the same time, know that there is something, Some One even more wonderful than all these, and He is coming soon. And when He comes, Jesus will vanquish the evil and restore all things to the way Our Glorious God intended them to be.

You see, the darkness I see coming over the world cannot touch the peace I have found in Christ, which will last an eternity. And my quiet joy, which in the world, is the anticipation of meeting my LORD and Saviour in person one day soon.

As we wait for this Blessed Event, the eyes and hearts of the lovers of Jesus Christ are noticing that the things of earth are losing their clarity and sway. Let’s pause here and go to the hymn …

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

1st Verse:

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free

REFRAIN:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

2nd Verse:

Through death into life everlasting
He passed and we follow Him there
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are

REFRAIN

3rd Verse:

His word shall not fail you, He promised
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell

REFRAIN

SCRIPTURE READINGS: 1 John 2:15-17, 3:13, Revelation 12:10-12

^{1 John 2:15-17} “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires are passing away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever”

^{1 John 3:1-3} “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure”

^{Revelation 12:10-12} “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them!'”

All the apostles and disciples of Jesus are filled with joy, especially with the expectation of the reappearing of Jesus. But none seems more joyful than the seemingly ever-youthful Apostle John. In this first of three letters, John exposes the light, the truth, the life at the heart of the Good News of Jesus, and does it with heartfelt love for his fellow believers.

My Student Bible explains that this letter was aimed at a new generation of believers who appeared to be twisting the original meaning of certain Christian words and phrases. While people were familiar with and were using the Christian jargon – phrases such as “knowing God,” “walk in the Light,” and so on, they were using them with new distorted meanings. Even today, with 2,000 years of Christianity behind us, people borrow words and apply quite different meanings to Scripture. One example is the misuse of the text: “Judge not that you will not be judged.” The world takes this verse out of context and makes it mean that no one is to judge anyone at all for anything. But, indeed, whole sermons have been devoted to this passage, and it is not so cut and dried as that.

John instructs these first century believers, as well as us, to not get caught up in how the world lives. The lusts of the world – and there are many – are not of God but of the one who is trying to pull us away from God. As people embrace the world and its pull, the desires of the flesh, the attraction for heaven diminishes. Conversely, as we lose the desires, the attractions of what the world offers, our love and desire for the things of God and His kingdom increase. John says that’s the better way to go since the world and its desires are passing away, but whoever does the will of God will live forever.

In this day and age, people have a hard time with this concept. The present-day understanding of the spiritual realm is so limited that things of the world are triumphing over it. The world sees Christians as out of step, and so we are!

John says, ‘The reason the world does not know who we are is because it did not know Jesus.’ Still doesn’t! Jesus, for so many, is merely a myth, a fairytale. They would do well to consider this quote from 2 Peter, “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (1:16).

In this passage, Apostle Peter tells the world that he SAW Him, saw the power of Jesus, His majesty. The apostle is speaking, of course, of having witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration on the mount, where in power and glory Our LORD was affirmed by the Father.

Peter saw it. John and James saw it, as well. Not only saw but heard God the Father affirming, “This is My Son, Whom I love. With Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9). You just couldn’t make up a supernatural event such as this. It must have stayed with the three apostles for their whole lives.

In the Revelation text, Apostle John hears a loud heavenly voice telling him that the time has come for the Salvation and power and kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah. Messiah has conquered the accuser of humankind and sent him to the abyss.

The accuser is Satan, and those he was bedeviling have overcome their temptation by their faith in the blood of the Lamb. In another passage from Revelation, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates of the city.” Those who believe in the Lamb of God, Who shed His precious blood for their salvation, are said to have washed their robes in His blood. They are ready for eternity in the eternal city of God.

They have taken their eyes off the things of the world and fastened them on eternal life in Christ. Revelation 12 says, “They did not love their loves so much as to shrink from death.”

True followers of Jesus Christ do not see the world as non-believers see it.

We know that this world will pass, and so will every person who is alive right now. No matter how much money a person can throw at staying youthful and even at trying to stay alive, there comes a day when it is all for naught.

“When human beings began to increase in numbers on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years” (Genesis 6:1-3).

It is rare that anyone lives even that long. In fact, according to Wikipedia, only one person EVER has survived to 120, actually living to 122-1/2. No matter how attached we might be to this world, we will have to relinquish it at some date.

Facing death ought not to be something we run from. If we know for certain that we are entering eternal life with Jesus, why would Christians ever be afraid or even reluctant to face death? Of course, that is not to say that we ought to be foolhardy and cavalier with our lives, which are precious gifts from God. But that’s it … our lives are not our own. We are alive because of the Grace and Goodness of the LORD God Almighty. Our lives are in His hands whether we believe in the Creator or not.

Job 1:21: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the Name of the LORD be praised.”

This world is not our forever home. It is a temporary residence, at best. When this world passes away, there will be two places to dwell: the Kingdom of God and the Lamb, that is, eternal life in the new heaven and new earth, OR eternal damnation. Choose wisely, beloved, for God’s gift of free will makes the choice yours.

Have a good look at the world through God’s eyes. See it for what it is – and then “turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” AMEN!

LET’S PRAY …

Heavenly Father God:

Our beloved brother Apostle Paul wrote, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Father, Your children are groaning in anticipation of that day, when we will stand before Your throne and are able to worship You face-to-face. It is too wonderful for our human minds to fully comprehend the scope of Your majesty. But You sent Jesus as the Mediator between You and Your creatures; You sent Him to reconcile us with You. Be praised forever, LORD Almighty. Thank You for eternal life in and through Yeshua Ha’Maschiach, our LORD and Saviour forever.” Amen.

If anyone reading this article has not yet received Jesus as their Saviour, but God has touched your heart by His Holy Word, please email me (amadea649@gmail.com) or find a Bible-believing local church and ask the Pastor what you must do to be saved in Grace.

In the meantime, please consider the ABCs of Salvation:

A – Admit

Admit what you have done wrong and ask forgiveness.

Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death.”

I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

B – Believe

Believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again as payment for your sins.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

C – Confess and Choose

Confess and choose to allow God to be in charge of your life.

Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

This article, based on God’s Holy Word, was written by the inspiration of God’s own Holy Spirit. All glory to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.