Slices
Prepare
‘So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed’ (John 8:36). What is your idea of freedom? Something as small as a break from daily routine? Or much bigger dreams? Reflect on God’s precious freedom.
Bible passage
21 ‘These are the laws you are to set before them:
Hebrew servants
2 ‘If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. 3 If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.
5 ‘But if the servant declares, “I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,” 6 then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the door-post and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.
7 ‘If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as male servants do. 8 If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself, he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her. 9 If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter. 10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights. 11 If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.
Explore
The Israelites know all about being slaves. Now they are free and must take great care not to do to others what the Egyptians did to them. God doesn’t want bad experiences to be perpetuated. They, and we, must learn to put the past behind us, but also learn from it.
In Old Testament times, slavery was a fact of life, the only resort for people who had nothing or no one. God has a lot to say to Moses on this subject. The Israelites need to be re-educated, to learn the importance of treating everyone equally. What a choice verses 5 and 6 bring: the slave going free on his own or staying in captivity with his family. But if the master is worthy of the servant’s love, then there will be security not to be found elsewhere.
We don’t have slaves, but we still must care for our fellow humans, regardless of their status. We don’t have to listen to the news very often to realise modern slavery exists. We need to take a stand.
Respond
How do we treat people who others might look down on? What can we do to find out what they are most in need of, and how we can support them? Pray for people who have lost their freedom. Or never had it.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 10,11; Psalms 46,47
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray that Content Assistant Isaac O’Brien will have wisdom and guidance as he works on Scripture Union resources. He asks that the children’s and youth resources may be fruitful in the ministries they are used in, and that Encounter with God will bless those who read it.
