Another statement made indicated that the Bible endorses slavery. Once more, let us look at the context in which the verses cited are used. The verses cited are Exodus 21:5-6 and Leviticus 25:44: Exodus 21:5-6 – “And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.” Leviticus 25:44 – “Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.” First, let’s deal with Exodus 21; the passage here deals with Hebrew servants. In other words, servants that were kinsmen or also Israelites. If we read the context of Exodus 21, we quickly realize that these are not slaves but rather what we might term serfs; in other words, servants that would eventually be set free under the law. As such, they were not slaves under the classic definition. Now, Leviticus 25:44 – what we must understand here is why this was written. Under the patriarchal age, slavery was a patriarchal custom. Those that were not Hebrew were permitted to be kept as slaves. This does not mean that God endorsed slavery but rather allowed while at the same time discouraging it by putting so many laws and restrictions governing the ownership of slaves. These slaves may have been captives of war, those consigned to slavery for their crimes, or as the Hebrew servants often were, just poor and sold themselves into slavery to pay off debt. It was the object to not at once do away with slavery, but to discourage it and mitigate it. The Law of God under Moses would not suffer it be forgotten that the slave was a man, not an animal, and protected him in every way that was possible at the time against the injustice or cruelty of his master. So, once more, upon examining the context (including the background) we see that God never advocated nor endorsed slavery.
The statement was made that the Bible “endorsed” the “beating and killing of children” and cited Psalm 137:9 which states, “Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.” At first glance, this verse would indeed seem to advocate just that. But again if we will but notice the context we will see that God is not endorsing the killing of children. Reference is here in this chapter made of Babylon and a custom of Babylon in raiding and conquering other nations was to take the children of those captured and dash, sling, or throw them against the stones while making the parents watch. The Psalmist is simply saying here that Babylon will have those atrocities repaid upon her; nothing more and nothing less
The next one is actually CLOSE to the truth but still taken out of context. The statement was made that the Bible advocates that one “hate” his family in “favor of God.” The verse cited is Luke 14:26 – If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Pretty straightforward, huh? What is Jesus saying? All Jesus is saying is that no one is to come between you and God. I don’t have to literally hate my mother, my father, my wife, my children and my brothers and sisters. Quite the contrary, I would give my life for any one of them. But I will not forsake my Lord and Savior for them. He gave His life for me, why would I not dedicate my life to Him? (notice also Matthew 10:37-38 which expresses the true meaning of the word “hate” as it is used in this instance).
Finally, the statement was made that the Bible “endorses human sacrifice” and cited Exodus 22:29 – “Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.” Once more, let us examine the context. Let’s do some checking on this: notice Exodus 13:2 – “Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.” The word “sanctify” comes from the word “kadash” meaning to “consecrate, separate, and set apart from all common or secular purposes to some religious use.” Here, reference is made to the “Passover” of the Angel of Death over Egypt in which the firstborn of all the Israelites were spared; hence, the firstborn were to be consecrated to God. So the firstborn were consecrated to God to be His ministers, not sacrifice victims; and in lieu of the firstborn of men, the Levites were devoted to the temple services. We must also notice Exodus 13:12-13 which states, “That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’S. And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.” So how were they redeemed? Notice Numbers 3:46-48: “And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites; Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:) And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons.” These verses, when put together, put the first passage (which was first taken out of context) in context and show us that no human sacrifice was ever endorsed or advocated.
Let us each do all that we can to keep God’s words in their context because to do otherwise leads to nothing but confusion.
-Josh Romo
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