Exodus 21:26-27 “An owner who hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. And an owner who knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.
Commentary says of the verses above that if they didn’t teach the master humility, they at least taught him caution because if he injured his slave, he “might have deprived [himself] of all right to the future services of the slave….” I truly don’t think God sent these laws to teach slave holders to be more self-interested.
Exodus 21:28 “If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull is to be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible.
And this, to me, is one of the main dangers of the sections of the Bible with so many laws. When God is reduced to laws and penalties, to actions and consequences, then it becomes about self-interest. “I don’t want to face this consequence, so I am not going to do this thing.” That has nothing to do with love or relationship or honoring Him.
Exodus 21:29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death.
Precious Savior, I know that laws and penalties are an important part of the equation of life, but it is not the only thing that matters in this life. Thank You for the birth of Your Son, Jesus. Thank You that love and relationship are part of the equation. Help me err on the side of love instead of self-interest. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
Exodus 21:30 However, if payment is demanded, the owner may redeem his life by the payment of whatever is demanded.
Have a blessed day.