Exodus 21:8–9

These verses (Ex. 21:1-7) are not properly a part of the covenant: "Now these are the rules that you shall set before them." Psalm 19:7-11 mentions several distinct things — testimony, statutes, commandments, judgments. I take these last to be God's decision on certain points. "The rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether."

Considering each statute would yield valuable instruction, as they witness to God's gracious care and protection of those who were weak and in a lower position. Such people might face oppression and unjust dealing from those who were stronger and in a place of authority over them.

The law did not forbid the sale of one's daughter to another man as a female slave (v.7). She would not, however, go free in the year of jubilee. She might be her purchaser's wife before that time, or the wife of his son (vv. 8-9). Yet the law did protect her. If the buyer was not pleased with her, he should let her father or another relative redeem her. But he must not sell her to a foreigner.

The Jews saw this as being as binding as marriage. Only divorce could end it. The law gave certain rules about a betrothed woman: Ex. 21:8-9; Deut. 20:7; Deut. 28:30. The word is also used as a picture of the LORD's favour to His ancient people in a future day, when He will "betroth" them to Himself for ever (Hosea 2:19-20), and of the position in which the church stands to Christ (2 Cor. 11:2).

Though she might "not go out as the male servants do," God in His tenderness carefully guarded her rights in the position she held. Too often people treat those who are under them and fully dependent according to changing moods and whims. This was not to be. If her master changed his mind, and she became evil in his eyes (see margin), she should have the option of redemption. He must not degrade her in her service, nor could he sell her to a foreign nation. By his deceitful dealing he had forfeited rights he would otherwise have had... So, in His compassionate love, the Lord surrounds His weak and defenceless ones with laws. Those laws secure fair and considerate treatment for them.

Verses 7-11 deal with the case of the woman who becomes a bondservant. As the weaker party she might become the victim of wrongful treatment, so the law defines her rights. We may note that the law permitted things Christians today would not accept... We must always bear in mind that "the law made nothing perfect" (Heb. 7:19). It set out the minimum of God's demands. So everyone who fell short of it, in any way or at any time, came under the sentence of death. Christ realises and sets out the maximum of all God's thoughts and desires.

Reading this section draws the heart out in adoration. Deep wisdom, well-balanced justice, and tender thoughtfulness breathe through the whole of it. We come away from studying it with one conviction pressed deep into the soul. The One who speaks here is "the only true," "the only wise," and the infinitely gracious God.

"The first of these sections," says Murphy, "refers to the duties of masters and servants, and is therefore a natural expansion of the fifth commandment, which relates to parents and children." This is true, and it teaches us a great deal. How instructive, and yet how simple, that the master is here seen in the place of the parent! The commandment is dealing with slavery — an evil that could not yet be removed, and that in the limited form allowed here often became a benefit. That was true above all if the slave became, as it were, the adopted child of his master, or the maidservant became the wife of her master or of his son!

The law did not forbid a man to sell his daughter to another man as a female slave (v.7). But she would not be set free in the year of jubilee. By then she might already be the wife of the man who bought her, or the wife of his son (vv. 8-9). Yet the law did protect her. If the buyer was not pleased with her, he had to let her father or another relative buy her back. But he must not sell her to a foreigner.

Though she might "not go out as the male slaves do," God in His tenderness carefully guarded her rights in the place she held. Far too often, people treat those who are completely under them and dependent on them according to their changing moods and whims. This was not to be… Whether she was promised in marriage to his son or to himself, her rights were fully protected. If he neglected them and took another wife, she was to go completely free. So, in His compassionate love, the Lord surrounds His weak and defenceless ones with laws that secure fair and considerate treatment for them.

Verses 7-11 deal with the case of the woman who becomes a bondservant. As the weaker party she might become the victim of wrongful treatment, so her rights are clearly defined. We should note that under the law God allowed things that Christians today would not tolerate. The Lord's own words in Matthew 19:7-8 show this. We must always remember that "the law made nothing perfect" (Heb. 7:19), since it set out the minimum of God's demands… The full measure of all God's thoughts and desires is realized and set out in Christ.

The law given by Moses had done much to soften slavery in Israel… In this the law of Moses stands in contrast with other codes, and even with the selfish and proud Christian world… In view of Jewish, or simply human, hardness of heart, much was tolerated under the law that was far from God's mind, until He came Who is the truth in grace.