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"If thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee . . . . ."
"Thy brother" evidently refers to a Hebrew in this passage, and it should be noted that
there was a difference between the sale of such and the sale of foreigners. A Hebrew
could not be sold, under these conditions, as a `bondservant', only as a `hired servant'.
This is understood by some to mean that the individual sold himself, or more strictly the
right to his labour. In this way, a man falling into poverty and becoming unable to
maintain himself, could obtain the means of subsistence for himself and his family.
Again it will be recognized that this is a thoroughly humane system, especially when it be
observed that this service at most could last six years (Deut. 15: 12).
There is a further view on Lev. 25: 39 which emphasizes the humanity of this law
even more. Translate,
"And if thy brother be waxen poor by thee . . . . .",
that is to say, having done all possible to help him he still fails, then allow him to be sold
unto thee. See especially verses 35-37 which precede this passage and suggest the above
idea.
When the six years was at an end (or should the jubilee arrive first, Lev. 25: 40)
then the servant was to be sent out with many gifts, reminiscent of the treatment afforded
the Israelites on their departure from Egypt:
"And when thou sendest him out from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:
Thou shalt furnish him liberally . . . . . of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed
thee thou shalt give unto him. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the
land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee" (Deut. 15: 13-15).
The treatment of servants was at no time to be with rigour:
"Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God" (Lev. 25: 43),
which should be seen in contrast to Exod. 1: 11-14, where the experience of Israel is
recorded. That this injunction was likely to be obeyed is seen in that provision was made
for the servant who did not wish to leave his master:
"And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth
thee and thine house, because he is well with thee; Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust
it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever" (Deut. 15: 16, 17).
Compare this last clause with Philemon 15:
"For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever."
Other aspects of this subject could be examined but enough has been presented to
show in what O.T. servitude consisted. There is one passage however, which in the light
of Paul's action with Onesimus, demands attention. This will be considered in the next
article.