15:18
As with the cancelling of debt, some may baulk at the idea of setting a slave free, considering it a hardship. God tells such people that they should be grateful for the six years of service they have received, and the oft repeated line that if they follow the Lord’s commands then He will bless them in all that they do.
15:19-23
The chapter closes with instructions about the firstborn males of herds and flocks. They were to be offered to the Lord, and eaten in His presence. One might think it strange that it is included among instructions on debts and slaves, but it is another example of seemingly losing something, though in reality it would result in gain. The firstborn was not to be put to work, but offered to the Lord, including eating some (presumably not all!) in the presence of the Lord. The animal was not to be sacrificed if it had a defect, offerings to the Lord were to be perfect. If it had a defect, then it was to be eaten in the owner’s own town, with a reminder not to eat the blood.
No comments:
Post a Comment