Exodus 21: God’s View of Slavery And Civil Rights
We’re still playing catch-up to God
Let me blow your mind.
Popular opinion says the Old Testament is backward, misogynistic, and abusive. Exodus 21 receives plenty of criticism, as it seems to condone slavery. Therefore, many seem to view the Bible as holding humanity back.
They’re entirely wrong.
Exodus 21 is the world’s first civil rights document, establishing equal rights and full dignity to all.
Let’s explore how remarkably modern this 4000-year-old document is.
When you hire a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. (Exodus 21:1–2, ESV)
This law reminds every wealthy person: if you “buy” a worker, they’re a temporary hire.
This system allowed a person in poverty to receive six years of guaranteed full-time employment. Their employers fed them well, sheltered them, clothed them, and looked after them. Then, after getting back on their feet, they went free.
No one had to sell themselves into slavery or prostitution to survive. At their lowest, they could still find work from their fellow citizens.
