Slavery in Ancient times
I’m writing from the perspective of the Hebrew person who was rescued out of slavery in Egypt and trying to adapt to freedom.
I’m writing to scrutinise scripture rather than simply as a personal reflection because we are living in a society combating prejudice against historic slavery; many people locked into their own biases.
I’m writing, hoping to bring awareness to myself and to anyone reading, about how GOD’s perspective is from a completely different angle to ours with regard to slavery, and we need, I believe, to learn to look from His perspective in this an in all matters.
I’m looking at Deuteronomy 6
The written record has just reiterated the 10 Commandments in Chapter 5. Looking from Chapter 6 let us look at some of the language GOD uses to address those who will be left behind, to go into the Promised Land with Joshua after Moses has died…
“Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you… “ (v 3a)
“… when you have eaten and are full — then beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, from the house of bondage. You shall fear the LORD your GOD and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name. You shall not go after other peoples gods….” (v 12b-14a)
“You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your GOD, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you.” (v 17)
GOD’s address
The language is bossy, abrupt, direct, warning and without any subtly… because these “children” descended from their fathers who were in slavery, and they have not yet learned how to walk in responsibility that comes with freedom.
His instructions are clear avoiding any doubt or confusion: live this way in order to avoid dire consequences.
The behaviour expected is a bit prescribed, because that is what these people are accustomed to. This does not advocate slavery but does suggest freedom is not without its expectations.
What is important to note
Slavery is nasty, undesirable, constrictive; it keeps one within harsh boundaries. But are all boundaries bad? These Hebrew people are going into the Promised Land where the cities will be taken from others and they will not need to build. The land will offer delicious food — it is the Land flowing with Milk and Honey. They will have absolute freedom, which they have never experienced before.
Freedom is the ability to make decisions and choices without any inhibitions or barriers. GOD is offering boundaries to those who’ve not experienced freedom because freedom requires responsibility if it is to be blessed, prosperous, healthy leading to joy and fulfilment. These people needed to learn how to live in freedom.
Freedom with Responsibility is what we all need today
While we may desire freedom, our downfall occurs when we have freedom and make mistakes. We can learn from any mistake but some mistakes are better not to make. GOD sets boundaries to protect us: ‘To love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbour as yourself’…. A focus on this keeps us safe from our human propensity toward selfishness and subsequent decay.
Holy Spirit and Boundaries
When we are filled with and walk with and are in partnership with the Holy Spirit, there is total freedom because Holy Spirit within us is our safeguard from error. Ignoring Him brings unpleasant consequences. Walking with Him and following His lead provides protection.
Slavery is unpleasant bondage. But absolute freedom is risky. Boundaries within our freedom protects us from ourselves.
From Slavery to Freedom
The Hebrews gained their freedom but it took a long time for them to grow accustomed to walking in it. They needed GOD’s boundaries and they needed to be thankful. Instead they often grumbled, doubted, complained, disobeyed. Let us learn from them and instead enjoy the liberty and freedom we have without forgetting who GOD is and what He has done through Jesus for us.
Sometimes scripture is cited ‘we are slaves for Christ’… that is not so that we obey the Law. It is not so that we feel condemnation when we err. It is so that we can enjoy belonging to Him and accept the safeguard of boundaries that our mature conscience and relationship with GOD offer, so that we enjoy freedom with responsibility.
Every blessing,
Sarah
2 replies on “Slavery 2”
Thanks Sarah, and you are SO right that (True) freedom is only attained alongside personal responsibility.
As you also rightly say, that winning combination (at least for a genuine ‘born-again/from-Above christian,) MUST manifest from Holy Spirit within us, for as Christ said “Holy Spirit will lead you into ALL Truth” (emphasis mine.)
So then genuine, Truth-filled Freedom, i believe, will perforce follow the ongoing ministrations of God’s Holy Spirit, who enabled Christ (and us today) to “Set the captives free,” so that they are “Free indeed!”
Shalom/God bless+++
Shalom sister Sarah, may our new man and woman in the Passover Lamb Yeshua- Jesus, have spiritual figs in season to share, and praise Adonia Elohim for His loving kindness, who allowed His Son when the trees were green in our own eyes, to cut a covenant with His life’s blood, so Jews and Gentiles can become One in a cultivated tree. As I read your letter Sarah about avoiding slavery, I am mindful of the day I lost all my friends in the Synagogue still spiritually blinded from seeing their Meshiach – Messiah, but with eyes now opened I gained something greater than faith, more reliable than hope, as the child within leaves the ways known to the child, for the season of a mature way, even though we speak in tongues, having prophesy, and are born again, if I do not have the love of Adonia Elohim in Messiah, then my branch were olives and figs in season were meant to grow, would be like trees of green again, and because I choose my will I have become like a child again.
Sarah it’s what you don’t say? that speaks volumes! for what you share is the pen of a ready writer, that allows the child to grow like figs on a cultivated olive tree, thank you sister in Jesus for writing the Way? of our Lord to our LORD! Freedom!!! to me a Jew born again through Yeshua the first born, is knowing why Adonia our Elohim made a cut in the sea, so I could look at the serpent on that tree? Then again look at the cross were my Master died, to set me a sinner free! Yes, Sarah my sister may your pen never run dry, Freedom!!! to worship in Spirit and Truth השם the-Name and God above all gods.
Shalom Sarah always and for all ways Kenny.