Exodus 21:1–11 “God’s Grace Hidden Within an Unjust System”

Exodus 21:1-11 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Reckless Love – YouTube
• Chris Tomlin – Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone
• Matt Redman – 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Don’t Just Listen, Do | A Sunday School lesson about obeying God – Lesson for Kids
• Father Abraham (song with motions) by Listener Kids – Song for Kids
• Light of the World | Stellar VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Stand Together | Kingdom Rock VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Chapters 21 through 23 contain various laws that were later recorded under the name “The Book of the Covenant” (Exodus 24:7). In His conversations with the Pharisees, Jesus clearly defines what the law is. When discussing the law about divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1), Jesus says, “Moses wrote you this law because of your hard-heartedness” (Mark 10:5). In other words, the law was given as a guideline for life, assuming human sinfulness. It does not present the “highest standard” expected of humans but rather the “minimum standard” that humans must uphold. It means, “You cannot live without sinning, but do not cross this line.”

At the time of Moses, slavery was a common social custom. Since it was an unjust system created by human sinfulness, God’s will was that it be abolished in due time. However, because human consciousness had not yet reached that level of awareness, it was necessary, for the time being, to maintain the institution of slavery while ensuring the minimum human rights. It was clear that once they settled in the land of Canaan, there would be cases where fellow Hebrews would become slaves, typically when someone was unable to repay their debts. In such cases, God commands that in the seventh year, the Sabbath year, no payment for their release be demanded, and they are to be set free as a free person (verse 2).

The principle for releasing a slave is that the slave should return to the same status they had when they became a slave (verse 3). If they became a slave while single, they leave as a single person; if they became a slave while married, they leave as married. If a single slave marries a female slave given by the master and has children, the slave must leave alone, leaving the family behind (verse 4). This is because the female slave and her children are considered the property of the master. However, if the slave chooses to stay with the family, the master may make him a permanent slave through a formal procedure (verses 5–6).

The phrase “if he bought a foreigner’s daughter as a slave” (verse 7) refers to a situation where, due to inability to repay a debt, a daughter is given to the creditor as a concubine. In such cases, the Sabbath year law does not apply because a concubine and a slave have different statuses. If the creditor changes his mind and no longer wishes to live with the woman, he must pay her price plus an additional amount and return her to her father; he must not sell her to someone else. The term “foreigner” (verse 8) is better translated as “another person.” If the female slave was given to the creditor’s son as a concubine, she must be treated as a daughter (verse 9).

When a female slave is kept as a concubine due to a debt relationship, the master must provide food and clothing for her and fulfill marital obligations faithfully (verse 10). The translation “he to his first wife” should be corrected to “he to the female slave.” The phrase “to his first wife also” in verse 11 is also a mistranslation. Verses 10 and 11 emphasize the material and humane responsibilities toward the female slave accepted as a concubine and instruct that if the master does not wish to keep her, he must free her without demanding a price.

Meditation:

When reading the Old Testament law regulations, we can occasionally see God’s consideration for humanity. Although these laws acknowledge the evil systems and customs created by human sinfulness as they are, they include guidelines to prevent the weak from being endlessly oppressed by the strong. For example, when a man becomes a slave due to debt, he is to be released without payment in the Sabbath year; when a female slave is taken as a concubine, she must be treated justly. If the master no longer wishes to live with the female slave, the law requires that he pay her price plus an additional amount and send her back to her family.

However, more often we feel a sense of frustration that these laws fall far short of where justice truly should reach. It seems too primitive to believe that these laws came from God with a true sense of justice. It accepts slavery as natural, polygamy as natural, and treats women as little more than the property of men.

As we read these regulations, we might wonder, “Couldn’t God have been more radical? How wonderful it would have been if He had given laws that abolished slavery, polygamy, and male-centered systems that were accepted as normal in that society.” However, such standards were far too high for the moral consciousness of the Israelites at that time. It would have been like expecting an elementary school student to meet a college-level standard. Therefore, God had to be content with providing a breath of justice and grace while still recognizing the prevailing mindset and social customs. God’s high standards were necessary, but the people of Israel had to be ready for them.

This is why we feel a certain frustration when reading the law, and that frustration leads us to hope for the Messiah. The law makes us long for and hope in the perfect revelation of Jesus Christ. That is why we read the law today.

Prayer:

God, Sovereign of history, how grateful we are to live in this era! We remember those who lived under oppression in the past, when moral consciousness and unjust systems prevailed. Through their sacrifice, we can live in a world that is much more than just today. Yet, many unjust systems and customs still remain. We ask for the grace of the Holy Spirit upon us who live within these unjust systems, that we may practice justice amidst injustice and walk in truth amidst falsehood. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God’s laws in the Old Testament were given with love and care for people living in a problematic and unfair world. While some rules may seem strict or unjust to us today, they were intended to protect the weak and guide people step by step toward a better life. The law points us to the hope of Jesus, who shows us perfect love and justice.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Why do you think God gave rules to help protect people long ago?
  • How can we show kindness and fairness to others today?
  • Who do you think Jesus is, and how does He help us live the right way?
    
• For Youth
  • How do you feel when you read about some of the Old Testament laws? Are they easy or hard to understand? Why?
  • Why do you think God chose to give laws that matched the people’s readiness instead of making everything perfect right away?
  • How does knowing Jesus as the fulfillment of the law change the way you think about justice and mercy in your own life?