Concerning the Treatment of Slaves by Hebrews
The first portion of this week’s Torah Reading deals with the issue of Hebrews owning slaves; particularly Hebrew slaves (Exo. 21:1-11) .
According to this passage, if a Hebrew acquires a Hebrew slave, they would serve that master for 6-years. In the 7th-year that slave would be freed. This is confirmed in Deuteronomy 15:12 which reads,
“And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee” (KJV).
It would seem this ordinance involving the releasing of the Hebrew slave in the 7th month is not directly tied to the Shemitah.
It should be noted that the Hebrews failed to keep this ordinance according to Jeremiah 34:14.
Debt and Slavery
What would justify a Hebrew acquiring a Hebrew slave? The most likely reason is found in Matthew 18:25:
“But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his master commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had and payment to be made” (KJV).
In this context, a Hebrew would acquire another Hebrew through unpaid debt.
Ancient Near Eastern custom facilitated that an individual who is in debt to another, be sold into slavery if that debtor is unable to pay off their debt. Torah, although not sanctioning or advocating the practice, established provisions for an individual who is in debt to another to be sold into slavery if the debtor is unable to pay his debt to the master.
Abba, in establishing ordinance regulating the treatment of Hebrew slaves, acknowledged the practice existed. However, Abba established time limits to the servitude. No Hebrew who was enslaved by another Hebrew could be forced into servitude for more than 6-years. That slave was to be released in the 7th year of their enslavement.
Yeshua Clarifies the Practice of Debt Slavery
Yeshua came to clarify Torah for us. In so doing, it was through parable that He taught that the debt owner always had the wherewithal and right to release or forgive his debtor’s debt (Matthew 18).
What Master’s parable teaches the Torah Observant Disciple of Yahoshua is that debt should ultimately be forgiven. No one who is indebted to us, as disciples, should be made to endure unending servitude or strung out debt to us. And this attitude should run across the board and be recognized by every disciple of Messiah.
More Than Material Debt and Slavery
Debt in this sense also transcends the material. Forgiveness is always a virtue that Father has shown to His beloved. The biggest and most pervasive debt we all owe is our sin debt. We are indebted to Father as a result of our sins. Yet Abba has provided a means whereby our debt can be forgiven. We in turn serve and obey Him for his forgiveness of our sin debt.
Likewise, we are compelled to forgive our fellow disciples any physical debts they owe us, as well as any trespasses committed against us by fellow believers.
Master instructed that we lend, hoping for nothing in return…(Luk. 6:35; NKJV).
If we harden our hearts towards those who owe us materially and on a relationship basis, then we stand the risk of not being forgiven by our Heavenly Father. In this regard, Yeshua in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant stated:
“Then his lord (speaking of the master to the servant who refused to forgive his debtor), after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant. I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you. If ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses” (Mat. 18:32-25; KJV).
The Making of a Bond Servant
Nevertheless, back to our Torah Reading passages: Father placed a provision in Torah whereby the servant who chooses to remain in permanent servitude to their master may willingly do so. Thus, the servant desiring bond servant status would be brought to the judgment-seat of God (according to the LXX) or to the judges (according to the KJV and other Authorized Versions) by that master. The purpose appears to be one of making the permanent servitude a publicly stated matter.
Upon the conclusion of the proceeding at the judgment seat of God, the servant would then be brought to the door or door post of the master’s home. That servant’s ear would then be pierced by an awl (ie., a metal pointed tool used to punch holes in material like leather).
Thus, that servant would serve that master till the death of the master or of that of the servant (cf. Deu. 15:17).
A Shadow of Good Things to Come
This ordinance is clearly illustrated in our claiming perpetual servitude to YHVH our Elohim. Fortunate for us, Yahoshua Messiah was already pierced on our behalf having himself been judged on our behalf for our sins.
Social Media and Hebrew Roots-A Warning to Discern Who’s Who in the Social Media Zoo
Most of us who are members of the True Faith Once Delivered, have one or more social media accounts. Many of us share our Faith convictions and or even minister on these platforms. But Social Media, like Hebrew Roots, can be likened to the Americana images of the...
A Little Balaam in Each of Us–Reflections on Torah Portion Balak
Can the character and principles of the prophet for profit Balaam be found in each of us. You may be surprised at what Scripture has to say about that. Welcome to The Messianic Torah observer and our reflections on Torah Portion Balak. Shalom and welcome.
Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem-Part 3 of the Love or Hate Israel Series
What does it mean to pray for the peace of Israel? We discuss also Israel in terms of her covenant-relation with God as well as her significance in end times prophecy.
Rebels in the Congregation-Reflections on Torah Portion Korah
As we examine Torah Portion Korah we learn about the potentially rebellious condition of our hearts; the importance of living holy lives; and the dangers of false teachers and their teachings to the Body of Messiah.
One Law For All–Reflections on Torah Portion Shelach Lekha
The Giver of Torah-YHVH-clearly stated that Torah was for all who would attach themselves to the commonwealth of Israel and live according to the Way He prescribed for men and women to live. Yet many within and without our Faith Community teach otherwise--that Torah...
Messianics—Modern Day Levites—Separated for Service to God—Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Portion Behaalosecha
This week’s Torah Portion-Behaalosecha-foreshadows a great many spiritual elements necessary for our service to the Kingdom of God. In a sense we are modern day Levites. We have been separated from all the nations people of the world unto God for His service. Are we up for the challenge? This is a wake-up call to the Body of Messiah to take immediate action.
Israel: To Love or Hate Her—That is the Question—Part 2–A Biblical and Personal Perspective on the Significance of Physical Israel
In this 2nd Part to our Israel: To Love or Hate Series, we continue our analysis of some the most common reasons people reject physical Israel today. As well as we consider some of the miracles said to have resulted in Israel’s deliverance from certain destruction. And lastly we consider the problems associated with the nation state of Israel. Shalom and welcome.
Burdens and Service-Thoughts and Reflections on Parashot Naso-Lift Up
Lessons of bearing burdens and service to YHVH are embodied in this week’s Torah Portion Naso. As disciples of Messiah, we are compelled to serve and bear burdens as we discuss in this post.
5-Facts About Pentecost [Shavuot] Every True Disciple of Messiah Should Know
As the Day of Pentecost (aka, Shavuot) descends upon many of us who are of Faith in the coming days, we reflectively prepare for the Day. With that preparing in mind, today I will reveal 5-things every spirit-filled disciple of Yeshua Messiah should know about Shavuot—Pentecost.
To Love Or Not Love Israel?That is the Question–Part 1
As Yeshua-focused Torah Keepers, how are we to view physical Israel? We discuss this polarizing issue from a historic, biblical and personal perspective. Shalom and welcome.
0 Comments