Does The Bible Condone Slavery? Part II

Difficult Verses

(1) Exodus 21:20-21 “20 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. 21 Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money."

Many will use this passage to say that God condones the beating of slaves. Remember (F) it is neither logical nor Scriptural to assume that God condones the indiscriminate abuse of servants in part because He gave provision that all they needed to do is run away in order to be free, (Deuteronomy 23:15-16), because He commanded that neither the Israelite nor the stranger should be oppressed (Deuteronomy 24:14), and (A) just because God allows provision concerning a thing, doesn’t automatically mean that it is His perfect Will, but is instead a concession given in light of the weakness of man, as evidenced by His laws on divorce. Also noted in the AP article, it was a common practice of the day for surrounding nations to put out the eyes of slaves, documented in Judges 16:21 and II Kings 25:7. Here God is actually protecting the slaves from such practices.

Assuming that a servant will be struck, isn’t the same as condoning it to be done indiscriminately. Is it the same to spank a child for wrong doing, as it is to do so just because you want him to fear you? And remember the other verses commanding the fair treatment of slaves, be them Hebrews or strangers (non-Israelis). God is not condoning the indiscriminate beating of slaves, but rather He is aware that recompense for criminal activity will be meted out to the unruly, and God’s decree is actually in protection for those slaves who offend, and not an endorsement for indiscriminate beatings. Don’t forget Deuteronomy 24:14 “Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:” and Leviticus 19:33-34 “33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. 34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God."

(2) Leviticus 19:20-22 “20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. 21 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, even a ram for a trespass offering. 22 And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him.” [Emphasis Added]

Here I will let the Apologetics Press article speak for itself, because I could do no justice to its examination of this passage. Quote “Of course, skeptics have a heyday with this reading from the King James Version, which seems to indicate that if a free man has sexual intercourse with a slave woman who is betrothed, then the slave woman is to be scourged and the man simply supplies a ram as a trespass offering. However, upon further investigation, it can be seen that this passage says something far different.

In the first place, the translators of the KJV most likely mistranslated the part of the text “she shall be scourged.” The ASV translators rendered the passage as follows:
“And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman that is a bondmaid, betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; they shall be punished; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah, unto the door of the tent of meeting, even a ram for a trespass-offering.”

The NKJV translators offered this reading:
“Whoever lies carnally with a woman who is betrothed to a man as a concubine, and who has not at all been redeemed nor given her freedom, for this there shall be scourging; but they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. And he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, a ram as a trespass offering.”

A brief look at these three translations shows that the recipient(s) of the punishment is not as clearly delineated as the KJV indicates. Keil and Delitzsch, in their commentary on the Pentateuch, noted that the scourging “referred to both parties, as is evident from the expression, ‘they shall not be put to death’” (1981, p. 422). G.J. Wenham has introduced another interesting solution regarding this passage by translating the disputed passage about scourging as “damages must be paid” (1979, p. 270). Concerning this translation he wrote:

“This is the most problematic phrase in this law: literally, “there will be a biqqôret.” The word biqqôret occurs only here in the OT, and its meaning is therefore quite uncertain.... Other renderings of biqqôret have less to commend them. “An inquiry shall be held” (RSV; cf. NEB) is vacuous: every legal dispute would have involved inquiry. “She shall be scourged” (AV) goes back to an old Jewish interpretation, probably based on the dubious derivation of biqqôret from bâqâr, “ox, i.e., an oxhide scourge” (pp. 270-271, emp. added).”

Taking these things into account, it appears that the passage does not indicate that the female should be scourged apart from the guilty male. Rather, whatever punishment was inflicted should be applied equally, except for the fact that the guilty male alone shoulders the responsibility of supplying the ram for the trespass offering.” End Quote [Emphasis Added]

All Men Created Equal?

The argument can still be made that all men are created equal, which was stated in the Declaration of Independence, but is that true? To tell the truth, it is a red herring, or a miss-leading statement designed to throw the discussion onto a track that leads to the Bible opponents perceived victory. In an open forum the statement is generally used to equate the value of a human life, to a persons work status, i.e. all are created equal therefore none should be slaves. This is miss leading because a person’s intrinsic value of life as a human being is not disregarded because they are a servant, after all, servants were cared for if their masters feared God, because the Scriptures (Old and New Testament) specifically give many commands to treat them fairly. Therefore, servitude does not equal inequality. A person’s status is not the gauge of the value of their life, i.e. just because a person is of a low status among men, does not make their life of little value. By that logic, the life of Donald Trump would be more valuable intrinsically speaking (not in terms of human wealth) than that of a homeless person. Scripture is clear that this is a HIGHLY sinful practice (James 2:9). In fact the book of James was in large part written because his audience was a church that was neglecting the poor, and favoring the wealthy. Therefore, one cannot honestly say that the Bible condones the brutal and inhuman aspects of US style slavery simply by quoting the opening statement of the Declaration of Independence as if it negates the Scriptures. (H) Servitude does not equal inequality. Equality can only logically be used to describe the intrinsic value of life, and not a person’s work status. We are not a nation of CEOs after all, yet the intrinsic value of our lives is equal.

The opening to the Declaration is as follows, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the persute of happiness.” [emphasis added] Here the exact meaning of the equality that was aformentioned is spelled out as follows: the right to (1) life, (2) liberty, and (3) the persute of happiness. And while these things sound great, they are partially contradictory to God’s Word, which is worth looking at, since these “rights” are claimed to be endowed by our creator. (1) Life: This one is good. Yes God wants us to live (Deuteronomy 30:19, Ezekiel 33:11, John 14:6, II Peter 3:9). (2) Liberty: Does God want us free? He wants us free from sin and the penalty thereof, but at the same time God wants us to be servants of Christ first (Matthew 23:10), and servants of all second (Luke 22:24-27). (3) The persute of happiness: God wants us to persue Him (James 4:8), and He will fulfill our needs, (Luke 12:16-34), and if we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desire, or petition of our heart (Psalm 37:4), which should be God (Luke 10:27). The full opening statement to the Declaration of Independence, while it sounds great to human ears, is not in perfect harmony with the Word of God, and therefore it should not greive a Christian into shame, nor should it be used to discredit the Scriptures. (I) Extra-Biblical writings should not be used to interpret, validate, or to invalidate Scripture. The desire for liberty, while sounding great, can also create a subtle disdain for the plan of God in the life of the believer, which is to be a servant, and it places a stigma on the idea of being a servant in general. The persute of happiness, while sounding great, does not define happiness, and therefore leaves room to place carnal pleasure at the front of the line, i.e. if sin makes you happy, persue it. The Declaration of Independence should not supercede the Word of God for the believer, nor should it give them lisence to persue happiness first, as oppossed to persuing God first. The Declaration should also therefore, not grieve the faithful servant of Christ, if it seems to contradict God’s Word on some level.

All men are not created to be kings, and the notion is a preposterous one, logically speaking. Servants are required to run a kingdom (or an office where they are called employees, remember that Biblical slaves had freedoms and rights that US slaves did not). Having an enterprise comprised entirely of CEOs would make for an enterprise that got nothing done. On the other hand, having an enterprise devoid of leadership would mean chaos and a lack of focused direction. In other words, if someone says that equality means being a servant is evil, then you can easily show how this logic falls apart if it is carried out fully. (H) Servitude does not equal inequality. Equality can only logically be used to describe the intrinsic value of life, and not a person’s work status. We are not a nation of CEOs, yet the intrinsic value of our lives is equal. (Job 31:13-15 along with 1:8). Equality of life is not measured in a persons work status, and so, just because a person is a servant, does not mean that they are not equal in terms of intrinsic value as a human being, especially in God’s eyes, who is not a respecter of persons (status). Equality is in regards to the intrinsic value of ones life, and not in one’s work station in life. Job’s words in 31:13-15 reflect that both Job and his servant’s life have equal value, even though they have differing social statuses.

New Testament Silence

Also, many will argue that Jesus never condemned slavery therefore He must condone, it. They will also give verses that command servants to do well, even to abusive masters, as if this is an endorsement of such practice. When Jesus commanded His disciples to turn the other cheek when they are struck, was He condoning that abuse?

Christ revealed many, many times in the Gospels that His Will and the Father’s Will are One, and that His Teachings are perfectly in line with the Old Testament. He also didn’t speak about beastiality, but no one would argue that His stance had wavered from that of the OT’s record on the matter. Jesus and the Apostles message was that of salvation from sins primarily, and secondly it was the summation of the entire law into two points; Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor (everyone else) as yourself. They didn’t have to picket plantations in order to make a change; the Gospel would do that from the inside out within the lives of believers, when and if it is carried out in full with an honest heart.

Also remember that Jesus was actually not silent on the matter, as we saw in the beginning of this study. He commanded His Disciples to follow His example and be servants, and not masters. Forging a host of Disciples as willing and loving servants is in opposition to the practice of abusive ownership.

People will also use the following passage out of context. Luke 12:47-48 “47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

Skeptics will use this as “proof” that Jesus condones the beating of slaves. But they are completely disregarding the context. If you read Luke 12:36-48 you will see that the servants were Christ’s servants, and they knew their Lord’s Will (Love God first and love your neighbor as yourself) yet they refused it. The two verses prior to these also give a much more clear picture of these unjust servants: “45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.” These servants were refusing their masters will, by abusing their fellow servants, who belong to Christ. Context is EVERYTHING. This verse should make charlatan ministries who bilk lovers of God out of their money, to quake uncontrollably, because they are some of whom Christ is speaking.

Illogical logic

One more common argument is that, because proponents of slavery during the abolition movement provided Scripture to back up their pro-slavery stance, then Scripture must condone these men’s wicked desires. They will even give verses that, when read alone, out of context, and by an angry fist waving opponent to Scripture, will sound horrible. But, as we have seen, this idea does not reflect the full message of Scripture. The atrocities of US slavery are not condoned by the Bible, thanks to the protection of slaves contained in Scripture (Exodus 21:16, Deuteronomy 23:15-16, 24:14, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 4:1, I Timothy 6:2), and Christ’s New Testament decree that established a flock of willing servants (Luke 22:24-27), and His command for us not to be lord’s and masters (Matthew 23:10). In other words, just because someone claims that Scripture endorses their beliefs, does not mean that it does so. In the case of those attempting to condone slavery in US history, these men twisted Scripture, either by ignorance or by deception, but they do not represent the accurate commands of God. If I say, “I’m killing this man because my neighbor asked me to”, does that mean my neighbor asked me to? Should he be implemented in my crime simply because I used his own words out of context, if he is actually innocent?

Summation

If someone insists that the Bible condones slavery, they would only be partially right. The New Covenant in Christ’s Blood is forged to set the captives free from oppressive bondage, and to reveal the good master that one is to serve, Jesus Christ. It does not however condone indiscriminate abuse, or froward treatment of human servants, and it certainly does not condone human trafficking. If someone insists that Biblical slavery is the same as the injustices done in the past, they are either deceived, or else they are a deceiver. God is calling champions to learn the truth in a way that they can communicate it on the spot, in order to clear the air of this smokescreen for those who would be deceived by the lies of the enemies of God.

Below is a bullet point list with Scriptures that explain all of the truth’s from this study. Please at least copy and paste the following section, study, and attempt to retain the information in such a way that you can bring it out at any moment. Human souls are perishing because of the lies perpetrated on them. This is not the extent of a Christians work, but it is a part of it. I Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

Take Away Points

(A) Just because God allows provision concerning a thing, doesn’t automatically mean that it is His perfect Will, but is instead a concession given in light of the weakness of man, as evidenced by His laws on divorce. Matthew 19:3-10

(B) It is dishonest and unfair to compare US slavery to that of Biblical slavery: when it is carried out according to God’s Word. Exodus 21:16, Deuteronomy 23:15-16, Job 31:13-15 (1:8), Colossians 4:1, I Timothy 1:9-10

(C) National privileges do not equal racism; God cares for other nationalities the same as the Hebrews; He is not a respecter of a person’s status. Leviticus 19:33-34, Deuteronomy 10:17-19, 24:14, Acts 10:34, 17:26-31

(D) An assertion generally stands or falls when it has been carried out to it’s full extent, it does not stand simply because it sounds right or because it is well spoken. For example, if someone insists that the separate treatment of Hebrews as opposed to servants of other nations equals racism; you could ask them if it is racist to not allow a non-US citizen to vote on matters and elections that concern US citizens? And if they say that these are two different topics all together, than ask why US law should discredit the Word of God, and politely ask for evidence that would hold up in court.

(E) People who were slaves for reasons which aligned with the laws of God, were there for legitimate reasons, such as debt (Leviticus 25:47-49) and as punishment for crimes (list of crimes of Canaanites, Leviticus 18:6-25, Deuteronomy 18:9-14; examples of these nations being taken as slaves, still looking for verses to verify this) and not because they were stolen for human trafficking (Exodus 21:16).

(F) It is neither logical nor Scriptural to assume that God condones the indiscriminate abuse of servants because He gave provision that all they needed to do is run away in order to be free (Deuteronomy 23:15-16) and because He commanded that neither the Israelite nor the stranger should be oppressed (Deuteronomy 24:14). see also (B) & (C).

(G) Biblical slavery cannot honestly be compared with US slavery, due to a simple, and logical examination of the two, based on facts concerning them. It would be the same as asserting that watching Baseball is ALWAYS the EXACT same experience, regardless of whether it is little league or major league.

(H) Servitude does not equal inequality. Equality can only logically be used to describe the intrinsic value of life, and not a person’s work status. We are not a nation of CEOs, yet the intrinsic value of our lives is equal. Job 31:13-15 (1:8)

(I) Extra-Biblical writings should not be used to interpret, validate, or to invalidate Scripture.

(J) I am a servant of Christ, and I have never been fulfilled, loved, or cared for like I am now. The slave masters and taskmasters of the past, both good and evil can in no wise be compared to the Good Shepherd who created you with care and love and with a specific purpose and destiny in mind. No earthly father can compare to your Heavenly Father. And as for serving Him goes, well, can that really be called work? Repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, so that you will live, and so that you may know the creator and the lover of your soul.