Does the bible support slavery? This topic is trending, but
I have to ask “Why?” Slavery exists in today’s global society, and has existed
since the beginning. Slavery highlights the condition of man’s heart, to
capture and subjugate others to a man’s will. I have to wonder if we, as
Christians, do the same with God’s Word.
Depending on the condition of our hearts when we read the
word, we “hear” it is different ways. Are we still holding onto the illusion
that our will somehow has an effect on God’s Word? Have we learned to push our
own thoughts, desires, and expectations aside so that we can truly hear what
God is saying?
I have heard of a type of study termed Precept. This study
involves three steps: observation, interpretation and application. Precept
offers sound advice about interpreting the scripture in that Precept teaches
that one scripture alone cannot form a belief, but the belief must be supported
throughout the scripture. What caused me to pause in this is the third tier of
Precept: The first step in application is
to find out what the Word of God says on any particular subject through
accurate observation and correct interpretation of the text. Once you understand what
the Word of God teaches, you are then obligated before God to accept that truth
and to live by it.
While the concept of Precept is excellent, are we studying
God’s Word in this way to increase our knowledge of God’s Word, or to increase
our submission to God’s Word? Submission means to surrender our concepts,
expectation and desires to God and be willing to hear what He says to us. As we study God’s Word, we acknowledge that
God discussed slavery. However, Jesus teaches us that we must treat others as
we would treat ourselves. Jesus teaches us how to live as Christians in Matthew
5. The entire chapter is devoted to bringing our flesh into submission to God’s
Word. Even if the Bible discusses slavery, Matthew 5:39: But I say to you, do
not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also. (ESV) Cross
reference.
This is the will of God:
Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who
has no money, come, buy and eat! Come; buy wine and milk without money and
without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and
your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight
yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul
may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure
love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and
commander for the peoples.
Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a
nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God,
and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he
is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let
him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for
he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways
my ways, declares the Lord. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so
are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do
not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving
seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out
from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that
which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the
mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the
trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the
cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a
name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” Isaiah
55:1-12 (ESV)
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