Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai
INTRODUCTION
During last week’s study, we learnt about God giving the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. Following the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, God begins to explain how His covenant principles are to be lived out in everyday life in Exodus 21. How to put these commands into practice. In this chapter He goes into the specifics concerning the weak, servants, personal injury, family relationships, property rights, etc.
This chapter reveals that God is not only concerned with worship but also with justice, responsibility, compassion, and the value of human life. These laws reflect His holy character and point us toward the perfect righteousness fulfilled in Christ.
1. Dignity and Voluntary Service (Verses 1-6)
“These are the regulations you must present to Israel. 2 “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he may serve for no more than six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom. 3 If he was single when he became your slave, he shall leave single. But if he was married before he became a slave, then his wife must be freed with him. 4 “If his master gave him a wife while he was a slave and they had sons or daughters, then only the man will be free in the seventh year, but his wife and children will still belong to his master. 5 But the slave may declare, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I don’t want to go free.’ 6 If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life."
Some of the terms we encounter in this chapter may sound offensive in the present dispensation. But back in the Bible days, these were very much acceptable. Human slaves were properties of their masters. However, we see here that God values human dignity and desires willing service rather than forced obedience. (Deuteronomy 15:12-17, Leviticus 25:39-43)
In the same way, in our relationship with God, we should know that He values freedom and dignity, and that genuine obedience to His laws should flow from the love we have for Him.
2. Protection for the Vulnerable (Verses 7-11)
““When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are. 8 If she does not satisfy her owner, he must allow her to be bought back again. But he is not allowed to sell her to foreigners, since he is the one who broke the contract with her. 9 But if the slave’s owner arranges for her to marry his son, he may no longer treat her as a slave but as a daughter. 10 “If a man who has married a slave wife takes another wife for himself, he must not neglect the rights of the first wife to food, clothing, and sexual intimacy. 11 If he fails in any of these three obligations, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment."
God is consistently concerned and protective of those who are vulnerable and powerless. As we see here protecting female servants from neglect, abuse, and unfair treatment. He is the Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows (Deuteronomy 24:17, Psalm 68:5)
Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as the defender of the oppressed and neglected.
We should advocate for the vulnerable. God expects justice and compassion in all relationships.We should use our influence to protect rather than exploit.
3. The Sanctity of Human Life (Verses 12-17)
“12 “Anyone who assaults and kills another person must be put to death. 13 But if it was simply an accident permitted by God, I will appoint a place of refuge where the slayer can run for safety. 14 However, if someone deliberately kills another person, then the slayer must be dragged even from my altar and be put to death. 15 “Anyone who strikes father or mother must be put to death. 16 “Kidnappers must be put to death, whether they are caught in possession of their victims or have already sold them as slaves. 17 “Anyone who dishonors father or mother must be put to death.”
These verses address murder, accidental killing, kidnapping, and dishonouring parents. It is from this verse that the death penalty stems from. God establishes the sacred value of life and family relationships. Every human life has value because people are created in God's image. (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 9:6)
These days we see a world that has completely gone mad. People placing no value on human lives – mass shootings, stabbings, kidnappings are the order of the day. Not to mention the strong exploiting the weak in the name of “survival” or just for a show of strength. The Bible tells us that in the last days, perilous times will come. 2 Timothy 3:1
4. Personal Responsibility (Verses 18-21)
“18 “Now suppose two men quarrel, and one hits the other with a stone or fist, and the injured person does not die but is confined to bed. 19 If he is later able to walk outside again, even with a crutch, the assailant will not be punished but must compensate his victim for lost wages and provide for his full recovery. 20 “If a man beats his male or female slave with a club and the slave dies as a result, the owner must be punished. 21 But if the slave recovers within a day or two, then the owner shall not be punished, since the slave is his property.
The phrase "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" is what God used to establish proportional justice rather than personal revenge. The principle is accountability for one's actions. God requires people to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. (Leviticus 24:19-20, Matthew 5:38-39, Romans 12:17-21, Galatians 6:7)
God's justice is fair, measured, and designed to prevent excessive retaliation. But we must realize that actions have consequences, seek reconciliation rather than revenge, and accept responsibility when we have caused harm.
5. The Value of Every Human Life (Verses 22-25)
“22 “Now suppose two men are fighting, and in the process they accidentally strike a pregnant woman so she gives birth prematurely. If no further injury results, the man who struck the woman must pay the amount of compensation the woman’s husband demands and the judges approve. 23 But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, 24 an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, 25 a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.”
God required accountability when injury was caused to a pregnant woman and her unborn child. God's concern extends even to life in the womb. Human life is valuable and worthy of protection and everyone is known by God. (Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 1:41- 44)
6. Justice Tempered By Compassion (Verses 26-27)
“26 “If a man hits his male or female slave in the eye and the eye is blinded, he must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And if a man knocks out the tooth of his male or female slave, he must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.”
Authority must always be exercised with justice and compassion. (Micah 6:8, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 4:1). God places limits on authority and protects those under it.
•Leadership should never become oppression. (Mark 10:43-44)
•Treat those under your care fairly. (1 Peter 5:2-3)
•Use authority to serve rather than dominate. (Matthew 20:25-28)
7. Accountability for Negligence (Verses 28-36)
“28 “If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must be stoned, and its flesh may not be eaten. In such a case, however, the owner will not be held liable. 29 But suppose the ox had a reputation for goring, and the owner had been informed but failed to keep it under control. If the ox then kills someone, it must be stoned, and the owner must also be put to death. 30 However, the dead person’s relatives may accept payment to compensate for the loss of life. The owner of the ox may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded. 31 “The same regulation applies if the ox gores a boy or a girl. 32 But if the ox gores a slave, either male or female, the animal’s owner must pay the slave’s owner thirty silver coins, and the ox must be stoned. 33 “Suppose someone digs or uncovers a pit and fails to cover it, and then an ox or a donkey falls into it. 34 The owner of the pit must pay full compensation to the owner of the animal, but then he gets to keep the dead animal. 35 “If someone’s ox injures a neighbor’s ox and the injured ox dies, then the two owners must sell the live ox and divide the price equally between them. They must also divide the dead animal. 36 But if the ox had a reputation for goring, yet its owner failed to keep it under control, he must pay full compensation—a live ox for the dead one—but he may keep the dead ox."
Discussion: How is biblical justice different from personal revenge?
How do we relate this with Matthew 5:38-39?
“38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
control, he must pay full compensation—a live ox for the dead one—but he may keep the dead ox.
Verse 32 of this chapter is a very difficult read because it appears that the only value to a slave's life is thirty silver coins rather than treating the person's death as a matter of justice for the victim. To better explain the context, let’s consider a few points:
(a). This law is regulating an existing social system, not endorsing it. In the ancient Near East, slavery was already a widespread institution. The laws in Exodus often function as regulations that place limits and responsibilities within that society rather than presenting God's ideal for humanity
(b). The payment is compensation for the owner's economic loss. As mentioned earlier, slaves were properties of their masters and the payment was to compensate the owner for the loss of labor and property.
One question worth asking when studying this passage is: "Is this law revealing God's ultimate ideal, or is it God restraining injustice within a fallen social system?"
You will agree that it is the latter and not the former. God holds people accountable not only for intentional wrongdoing but also for negligence. (Romans 14:12)
Love for neighbour includes preventing foreseeable harm. Romans 13:9-10
“9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
• Be a responsible steward of what God has entrusted to you. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
• Take reasonable steps to protect others. (Philippians 2:4)
• Consider how your actions affect people around you. (Romans 14:13)
CONCLUSION
Exodus 21 demonstrates that God's holiness is expressed not only in worship but also in the way people relate to one another in everyday life. Throughout the chapter, God reveals His concern for human dignity, the protection of the vulnerable, the sanctity of life, personal responsibility, and justice that is balanced with compassion. These laws were not merely regulations for ancient Israel; they reflected God's heart for a community where people could flourish under His righteous rule. As believers today, we must honor God not only through worship but also through the way we treat others—with integrity compassion, responsibility, and a commitment to justice.
