The High Calling of a Bond Slave
Exodus 21:1-6 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. (2) If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. (3) If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. (4) If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. (5) And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: (6) 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.
Introduction: This is an account of a bond slave in the Old Testament. It is amazing the correlation a bond slave has with how the Christian life ought to be lived.
I. A SLAVE IS PURCHASED FOR A PRICE.
A. Jesus Was Purchased For A Price.
1. The price of a slave.
(Titus 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
i. Jesus redeemed you and I
(Galatians 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
B. Jesus' Sentence Was Delivered.
1. The price was paid.
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
II. THE SLAVE WAS FACED WITH A CHOICE.
A. His Decision Was Plain. (v 5)
1. There was no double-mindedness about his decision.
(James 1:8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
i. The slave must make a choice
ii. Stay with his family
iii. Leave his family
2. We like the servant must choose.
(Joshua 24:15) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
i. Do we choose the gods of the
Amorites
ii. The gods that our fathers served on the other side of the flood.
3. Christ had to make a choice.
i. Stay in heaven
ii. Be born as the man Jesus.
B. The Servants Decision Was Public. (v 6a)
1. He was brought before the judges.
(Luke 12:8-9) Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
2. He was marked as a servant.
(John 13:3-5) Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
3. Jesus was marked as a servant
i. The pierced hands
ii. The pierced feet
iii. The pierced side
C. The Slaves Decision Was Permanent. (v 6b)
1. There was no way to take back the decision.
i. The ear was permanently pierced.
ii. A ring added to signify the owner.
2. He had forever surrendered his will
to his master's will.
3. Jesus' decision was permanent.
i. He couldn't take back what was done.
ii. The piercing was indelible.
4. By our acceptance of Jesus
i. An indelible mark of the Holy Spirit is given us
ii. To identify our owner.
III. THE SLAVE WAS CONSTRAINED BY LOVE.
A. He Was More Devoted To His Family Than To His Freedom.
(2 Corinthians 5:14) For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
B. He Recognized That His Master Presented The Best Offer.
(Hebrews 11:24-25) By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
(1 Corinthians 2:9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
CONCLUSION: We have seen what a slave must do to give up his freedom.
We have seen that sometimes the choice of being a slave is the best choice.
Jesus came to this world to seek and save the lost, give them an eternal home.
He has shown us that being a servant (slave) is good.
There is freedom in Christ's slavery.
Christ asks us when we accept Him to go out and confess Him publicly.
Tell others, profess Him, with your mouth. Romans 10:9
1. Have you been redeemed from the slave market of sin?
2. Have you acknowledged that you were purchased with a price?
3. Have you made the decision to follow God no matter what the cost?
4. Does your love for Christ constrain you to be devoted to Him?
5. Is Christ pleased with your life?
