Exodus 21 – 24

Here we go verse 21:2 condones slavery:

If you purchase a male Hebrew slave, he will be your servant for six years only. When the seventh year arrives, he will go free without having to pay a price for his freedom.

There you have it; the Bible condones slavery so the south was Biblically correct. Or was it? Having just watched 12 Years A Slave the horrors of the south were shown. How could the Bible condone that? It doesn’t! You could do a very long study on the culture and the use of the word, but to simplify things a few critical points. First the never condone harsh or sub human treatment. Second, it’s very short term. Third, it’s not by force but rather economic reasons. Forth, it would be considered more “indentured servitude” or “interns” as they are called today. No slavery in the Bible is nothing close to what the south had going in the 1800’s.

Verse 21:22 are laws about killing the unborn:

If two men are fighting with each other and happen to hit a pregnant woman during the quarrel causing her to give birth prematurely (but no other harm is done), then the one who hit her must pay whatever fine the judges determine based upon the amount demanded by the woman’s husband.

I find this very interesting since the punishment is not death. The standard argument against abortion is a pregnancy is a life. If you were to strike another and kill them, you would be put to death. Why is this not the case for an unborn baby that dies. This only condones accidental strikes. Verse 23 clears this up a bit since an abortion is not an accidental occurrence it could be considered a “life or a life” punishment.

Verse 22:29 is the foundation of the tithe:

You must not hold back or delay your offering from the bounty of your harvest or the juice of your vineyard. Dedicate every one of your firstborn sons to Me.

This is critical to understand. God has always asked for your first, not because he needs them but rather to show your allegiance to God. Think about Cain’s offering and why it was not pleasing to God. It was not pleasing because it was done over time, where Abel’s was the first. The tithe is not an out dated Hebraic Law, but rather a foundational Biblical truth. It was from the beginning and God himself gave His first born as a sacrifice for you!! So when the plate passes, before paying bills, pay that first 10%, it’s not a Law it’s a must to show one’s trust in God.