As we have previously discussed, the slavery in the Bible was much different than the slavery we see throughout the world. Slaves were not to be beaten, killed or raped. Slaves were to be treated as hired workers and were to be loved as one of the family. Today were going to continue on with how the Bible says slaves are to be treated.
Slave owners were commanded to give slaves at least one day off a week.
Exo 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
When you think of slavery, you seldom think of time off. Here again, we see another example of how biblical slavery was completely different.
The Slaves were required to take part in the Jewish feasts
Exo 12:44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof (talking about the Passover).
This was not a bad thing. These feasts not only taught the participants about the God of the Bible, most of them were a good time. They don't call them feasts for nothing. These slaves, whether from crime, war or debt, were allowed to overeat and have fun with their master, all the while, leaning about the Lord. Again, this is not cruel slavery.
You were not to slander or accuse another's slave
Pro 30:10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
Match this with Leviticus 25:53, where they were commanded to treat their slaves as hired workers and not rule over them with rigour. Also consider Leviticus 19:34 “But the stranger that dwellet |
