Exodus

Exodus 21: God commands justice for the weak

Begin in prayer

Before we read Israel’s laws about servants and injuries, let us ask God to teach us His justice. Pray for hearts that value the weak and seek Christ’s mercy for the wrongs we have done.

I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.

Psalm 140:12

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand the justice of Your commands and our guilt in breaking them. Show us Christ, whose righteousness protects the weak and saves sinners. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God gives Moses ordinances for Israel, beginning with the release of male servants and protection for women sold for marriage. He sets death penalties for murder, attacking or cursing parents, and kidnapping, while providing refuge for unintended killing. Injuries bring payment for lost time and healing, and further laws govern harmed servants and a pregnant woman. The judgments require life for life and injury for injury, while a servant who loses an eye or tooth must go free. A bull that kills is condemned, and an owner who ignored known danger also faces judgment. Open pits and damage caused by bulls require payment for the loss.

As you read Exodus 21, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God gives just judgments that protect life and hold His people accountable.

After the Ten Commandments, God shows how His law protects life in the cases that arise among His people. He begins with servants, among the weakest people, and puts their masters under His judgment too. A Hebrew servant goes free in the seventh year, and a woman sold for marriage keeps rights no master may take away. Because life belongs to God, murder and kidnapping bring death, while a man who kills by accident may flee to a place God appoints. Striking or cursing a father or mother also brings death, so God guards the home as well. Injury must be repaid in equal measure, and a master who destroys his servant’s eye must let him go free. Even carelessness counts, because an owner who knows his bull is dangerous answers for the life it takes. These laws show that every life matters to God, and they show our guilt, so we need the righteous Savior.

How does Exodus 21 show us that God gives just judgments that protect life and hold His people accountable?

God sets limits on a male servant’s service.

A Hebrew male servant leaves free in the seventh year, with the wife he brought into service. If his master supplied his wife, she and their children remain with the master when he leaves. A servant choosing to remain with his master and family has his ear pierced and serves permanently. A slave is worth as much as his master, made in God’s image.

God requires rights for a woman sold into marriage.

A female servant does not leave as male servants do. If her master is displeased with her, he must allow redemption and cannot sell her to foreigners. If appointed to his son, she must be treated as a daughter. If another wife is taken, her food, clothing and marital rights must remain, or she goes free without payment. This case regulates existing wrongs, while God’s marriage design is one man and one woman of equal worth.

God requires judgment for harm done to others.

If a master strikes a servant who dies under his hand, he must be punished. If the servant gets up after a day or two, this law imposes no punishment, for he is his property. Loss of a servant’s eye or tooth requires release. Premature birth without harm brings a fine demanded by the husband and allowed by the judges. Further harm requires life for life and matching judgment for injury.

God makes people answer for danger they leave unchecked.

A bull that kills must be stoned and its meat must not be eaten. An owner who ignored its known danger faces death, with ransom permitted when imposed. The law includes sons, daughters and servants, and requires payment for damaged property. Christ’s righteousness exposes every careless act by which we disregard our neighbor.

Memorise

“Anyone who kidnaps someone and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:16

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, whom have I harmed through selfishness that I must bring to Jesus?

God commands that a servant whose eye is destroyed must “go free for his eye’s sake.” The master stands under God’s law. The weak person’s injury matters to the Judge, and power cannot make the wrong disappear.

Our selfish use of power and our neglect of others leave us guilty. Jesus, the righteous One, suffered for His people and bore their sins on the cross. He rose, having paid the whole debt they owed. His completed sacrifice is enough to cleanse those whose hands cannot undo their wrongs.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Those who confess their guilt and rely on Him receive forgiveness. His mercy calls the forgiven to seek their neighbor’s good. Let the Savior’s righteousness teach you to value the person whom selfishness has made easy to overlook.

Parent's note

Tell your children that these national laws judge violence and that no command allows abuse or silences a child seeking protection. Jesus died and rose as the righteous Savior for guilty people. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His just concern for human life and the weak, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory.

Matthew 12:20

Righteous God, thank You that power does not put anyone above Your judgment. Forgive our selfishness and the harm we have caused. Please turn us to trust Jesus. Teach us to protect the weak, repair what we can and seek help when someone is in danger. Amen.