Wed.’s Devo - The Hebrew Servant

Ex. 21:1-6 These are the judgments that God set down. Let’s examine them one-by-one and see if we can learn anything from them. The first judgments have to do with Hebrew slaves. Every Israelite was born free; but slavery was permitted under certain restrictions. An Hebrew might be made a slave through poverty, debt, or crime; but at the end of six years he was set free. If he was married when he became a slave, then the wife was released when he was. But, if his master gave him a wife and they had children then when it came time for him to be released he could go, but the children and wife had to remain the property of the master. But, if the slave wanted to stay with his family, the master would bring him to the door and pierce his ear to the door. This meant he would serve his master for ever. A slave who chooses to stay loyal to his family and his master is treated like a son… many were adopted into the family. They are given great privileges and great responsibility. Everything that the master owns is at his disposal. Now let’s look at the picture God was giving us. This is about salvation. Man was born free. Adam was free of sin till he chose to eat of the forbidden fruit which brought sin into the world. We then became a slave to sin. We became poor, indebted, breakers of the law - criminals to God. We will remain in this state for God’s 6,000 years (six days) till the seventh day of Millennium and we will be forever set free. But, if we work for the master and produce fruit here on earth we can choose to serve our master forever. To do this we place our ear to the door (Jesus) and we allow God (the master) to pierce our ear to the Door. This brands us to him and we belong to him forever. We are given the rights of sonship and all the Father has is ours. We are given great privileges and great responsibility. Lord, we choose to bear your mark and remain loyal to you. You are worthy of all of our life.