Lord willing, we will finish up Leviticus 25 today. This morning's measure of manna is spiced with God's Triple R seasoning: Reckoning, Reminder, and Redemption. Please join us, as we share a delicious portion of God's Word.
And he shall Reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubile: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him. If there yet be many years behind, according unto them he shall give again the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for. And if their remains but a few years until the year of jubile, then he shall count with him, and according unto his years shall he give him again the price of his Redemption. And as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: and the other shall not rule with rigour over him in your sight. And if he be not redeemed in these years, then he shall go out in the year of jubile, both he, and his children with him. (Reminder) For unto Me the children of Israel are servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
:50 ~ And he shall Reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubile: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him.
"Is God instituting slavery in these laws regarding the price of a slave's redemption? prior to the Year of Jubilee?" asks Jon Courson in his Application Commentary on the Old Testament. "No, He's regulating what was already taking place. Why didn't God forbid slavery? Because God's way is to change people. Changed people, in turn--like England's abolitionist William Wilberforce, an outspoken believer, will then change politics."
What do you think of that statement? Of course, no argument, God is definitely in the business of changing people and using them to effect change in the world! It makes me think ... regulation versus prohibition ... would, or does, it work for today's governments?
You can listen (for free) to Pastor Jon's Bible teachings: by Book, Verse by Verse, or In-Depth Topical and Expositional Teachings. Many excellent resources there, including a Daily Devotional. Guaranteed blessings.
Also, speaking of reckoning ... shall there not be a Reckoning (settling of accounts) when we meet our LORD at the Throne of Judgement??? For Scriptures regarding the "day of judgment" in Biblos: click here.
Jesus does give us the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23-34. This Scripture follows the whole set up, back here in Leviticus. The forgiveness of debt ... of course, Jesus died to pay our debts, once and for all. But, I also notice that, in this text from Matthew, the Lord spoke of settling of accounts with His servants ... not everyone.
Then, there is the 'day of reckoning' described in Matthew 25 which includes His servants (His sheep) and the 'others' (goats). I adore the above photo. While it does not depict the final separation; it does beautifully portray the ongoing enmity between the sheep and the goats.
I know that I have left out other relevant Scriptures, including: Revelation 20:11-12 which describes the reckoning at the Great White Throne ... this would be another whole study: please add your comments!
Hebrew law limited the service of the Israelite servant to 6 years, unless he offered a voluntary service after that period ... Exodus 21:1-6
If he was only in service a short time, the Israelite servant must have been expected to still have the money he was originally given when he sold himself into his master's service. And could buy back (redeem) his debt or contract.
:52 ~ And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubile, then he shall count with him, and according unto his years shall he give him again the price of his Redemption.
On the other hand, if he had served most of his term of service; he was soon to be set free at Jubilee anyway; he had to reckon with his master for the Redemption price of an early release from his contract or to pay off his debt early.
53 ~ And as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: and the other shall not rule with rigour over him in your sight.
There were stringent rules about how a stranger or sojourner was to treat an Israelite in his service. He was to be treated fairly and with respect. I believe that the same rules still hold true today ... between us and our employers. The employers of God's servants are held to a higher accountability for how they treat their employees. We discussed that more in depth in our last study.
:54 ~ And if he be not redeemed in these years, then he shall go out in the year of jubile, both he, and his children with him.
Year of Jubile (Jubilee) ~ The 50th year, which followed seven Sabbath years, was to proclaim liberty to those who were servants because of debt, and to return lands to their former owners. (Leviticus 25:8-55, 27:17-24; Ezekiel 46:17) As Christians, is this not me and you, as well??? Jesus (our Kinsman Redeemer) said that He came to proclaim liberty!!! Are we not His servants?! Bless Him, for paying the debt, that we could never pay! Hallelujah!!!
This also brings up a question: what children is he to take with him? Scripture states that if a servant meets a female servant while in the employ of the master and she bears his children, that the woman and the children are the property of the owner and are to stay there.
Aha! There is a very different situation here ... don't you just LOVE hunting for treasure in the Bible??? According to John Gill's Exposition on the Bible: "his wife too, if he had any, was comprehended in himself, and whom, both wife and children, his master was obliged to maintain during his servitude."
So, it was quite a commitment for a master to take on an Israelite slave! Beside the rules of fair treatment; he was also responsible for the well-being of this man's immediate family. I would think that it would take a more compassionate and responsible man, than most, to hire a Jewish servant. He would have more mouths to feed, but probably more hands to work, as well!
Hmmm ... I feel like there is more to this! Anyone? Can you contribute to this point about the children?
John Calvin said in his Commentary: "The object of the law was, that none of those whom God had adopted, should be alienated from their race, and thus should depart from the true worship of God Himself. The whole of this is comprehended in the last verse, where God declares that the children of Abraham were His property, inasmuch as He had led them forth from the land of Egypt, and, on the other hand, that He is their peculiar God. For, whilst it was just that they should enjoy His blessing, so also it behooved that they should be kept sound in His pure and undivided worship..."
Now, the LORD concludes with a very clear Reminder!
There were stringent rules about how a stranger or sojourner was to treat an Israelite in his service. He was to be treated fairly and with respect. I believe that the same rules still hold true today ... between us and our employers. The employers of God's servants are held to a higher accountability for how they treat their employees. We discussed that more in depth in our last study.
:54 ~ And if he be not redeemed in these years, then he shall go out in the year of jubile, both he, and his children with him.
Year of Jubile (Jubilee) ~ The 50th year, which followed seven Sabbath years, was to proclaim liberty to those who were servants because of debt, and to return lands to their former owners. (Leviticus 25:8-55, 27:17-24; Ezekiel 46:17) As Christians, is this not me and you, as well??? Jesus (our Kinsman Redeemer) said that He came to proclaim liberty!!! Are we not His servants?! Bless Him, for paying the debt, that we could never pay! Hallelujah!!!
This also brings up a question: what children is he to take with him? Scripture states that if a servant meets a female servant while in the employ of the master and she bears his children, that the woman and the children are the property of the owner and are to stay there.
Aha! There is a very different situation here ... don't you just LOVE hunting for treasure in the Bible??? According to John Gill's Exposition on the Bible: "his wife too, if he had any, was comprehended in himself, and whom, both wife and children, his master was obliged to maintain during his servitude."
So, it was quite a commitment for a master to take on an Israelite slave! Beside the rules of fair treatment; he was also responsible for the well-being of this man's immediate family. I would think that it would take a more compassionate and responsible man, than most, to hire a Jewish servant. He would have more mouths to feed, but probably more hands to work, as well!
Hmmm ... I feel like there is more to this! Anyone? Can you contribute to this point about the children?
John Calvin said in his Commentary: "The object of the law was, that none of those whom God had adopted, should be alienated from their race, and thus should depart from the true worship of God Himself. The whole of this is comprehended in the last verse, where God declares that the children of Abraham were His property, inasmuch as He had led them forth from the land of Egypt, and, on the other hand, that He is their peculiar God. For, whilst it was just that they should enjoy His blessing, so also it behooved that they should be kept sound in His pure and undivided worship..."
Now, the LORD concludes with a very clear Reminder!
This Reminder is comforting to His sheep and foreboding to the goats!
I do believe that it will not go well to anyone who mistreats one of God's servants! There is no room, for "interpretation" here. This last verse is the bottom line!
To us, this Reminder is a blessed assurance; at the same time, it is also a strict warning...lest we ever forget from Whom comes our freedom, our joy, our very life and breath! And to Whom belongs our everlasting thanks, worship and praise!
Bless the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name! ~ Psalms 103:1
Until we meet again, Tot ons weer ontmoet (Afrikaans)
I am blessed every day
with some new revelation of God's Word.
I will be sharing my measure of manna
with all who come to my "tent."
Please, let me know if you have been blessed
by the way it was prepared for you this day.
~Shalom~
