Bible Questions and Answers

God’s will is revealed in the scriptures which comprise the Old and New Testaments.

Slavery was invented by man, not by God.

In war, men made slaves of those that they conquered in battle; it was an alternative to wholesale slaughter.

In peace, in the absence of a welfare state, men and women could become bondservants of others in exchange for life’s necessities to avoid starvation.

In the Law given through Moses, slavery was regulated, not condoned.

Exodus 21:2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

Further he was not to be sent out ‘empty’.

Man stealing for the purpose of slavery was a capital offence.

Deuteronomy 24:7 If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.

If a slave ran away, they were not to send them back.

Deuteronomy 23:15  Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee: 16  He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him.

The Roman Empire was run on slavery.

https://www.ancient.eu/article/629/slavery-in-the-roman-world/

Escape from slavery under Roman law was not really an option.

Freedom could be bought, but slaves generally had no means of raising the money.

Paul in his letter to Ephesus in writing to both freemen and slaves who had believed the gospel.

Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

This advice is eminently sensible.

1 Corinthians 7:21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

This life is temporary with all its afflictions both natural (illness, disabilities) and man-made (servitude etc.). What really matters is putting the commandments of Christ into practice so that we might attain unto eternal life in the kingdom of God.

In Christ there is no difference between nationality, freemen or slaves.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

There is nothing in scripture which supports white racism.

White, brown, or black we are all descendants of Noah and are on an equal footing with God.

Those who call themselves Christians should live by the commandments of Jesus Christ.

Enslaving others is not compatible with Christ’s commandments.

Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

1 John 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

In conclusion – We cannot blame God for man’s inhumanity to his fellow man.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn