Exodus 21
McGeeCHAPTER 21THEME: The law concerning master and servant relationships; the law concerning personal injuries
Exodus 21:1
THE LAW CONCERNING MASTER AND SERVANT RELATIONSHIPSIn Exodus 21 we come to social legislation. This part of the Law is an important issue at this time because the Israelites had been slaves in Egypt. These two verses clearly state that the Israelites could never permanently make one of their own brethren a slave.
Exodus 21:3
This remarkable law states that if a man is a slave, after seven years he can go free. If he was married when he became a slave, he can take his wife with him. If he married while a slave, that is, if he married a woman who was already a slave of his master, at the end of seven years he could go free, but his wife would still belong to the master. He could, however, if he loved his wife and master, decide to stay on his own free will. If he decides to stay, his master is to bore his earlobe through with an awl signifying that he will serve his master forever. This is a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. He came to this earth and took upon Himself our humanity. And we were all slaves of sin. He could have gone out free. He could have returned to heaven, to His position in the Godhead, without going through the doorway of death. He did not have to die upon the Cross. But He willingly came down to earth and took upon Himself our humanity. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Php_2:8). Psa_40:6-8 goes on to say, “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” This passage refers to Christ, because Heb_10:5-9 tells us that it does. It was fulfilled when our Lord came to this earth. “Wherefore when he cometh into the world [speaking of Christ], he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me [it was not only his ear that was “digged,” or bored through with an awl, but God gave Him a body which He will have throughout eternity]: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.” Christ was “made like unto His brethren.” He chose not to go out free without us.
He could have left this earth without dying, but He said, “I love My Bride. I love the sinner.” So He became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross so that He could redeem us from the slavery of sin. What a picture this is of Christplaced right here after the giving of the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 21:12
THE LAW CONCERNING PERSONAL INJURIESThis verse is the basis for capital punishment. Some people believe that “Thou shalt not kill” means that the government has no right to exact a death penalty. However, God commanded the nation Israel to put to death any murderer.
Exodus 21:13
There were six cities of refuge placed throughout the land of Palestine. These were set up in convenient locations so that one charged with manslaughter could avail himself of the shelter they afforded until the matter in which he was involved could be settled. We will speak more of the cities of refuge later.
Exodus 21:14
If a man commits a premeditated murder, that man is to be executed. If a man kills someone in self-defense while trying to defend himself, without premeditation, that man would not merit execution.
Exodus 21:15
This is God’s protection for the home.
Exodus 21:16
God did not approve of slavery at all and, in fact, He condemned it. It was a great system in that day, but God dealt with it.
Exodus 21:17
In other words, the one who was responsible for the injury was to reimburse the injuredboth for his time and medical expenses. The above laws and the other laws presented in the rest of this chapter are the basis of the laws of our land. They form the basic platform of law and order that is necessary for a civilized nation to build upon. Verses Exo_21:24 and Exo_21:25 sum it all up by saying:
Exodus 21:24
In other words, these two verses state the law of reciprocity. Law must be enforced if there is to be law and order and protection for human life and property. Thank God, we do not have to depend on keeping the Law for our salvation. There is One who is prepared to extend grace to us that we may be saved, even the Lord Jesus Christ.