Question about an OT law

[KeilanS]

Exodus 21:

20 "If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, 21 but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property.

This sounds... unfair? I don't think a man should be able to beat his slave at all.

[MeCajunboy]

Exodus 21:

20 "If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, 21 but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property.

This sounds... unfair? I don't think a man should be able to beat his slave at all.

Let's back this thought process all the way back for a moment. I don't think God approves of slavery either KeilanS. I think he knew that man was determined to have workers at this lowly level where they could control them and and their work ethics and could demand respect. But I have not seen direct evidence where God show approval of slavery. However, God did make many comments and commands on people who worked others and how they were to be treated...And much of if seems to be a "fair" and "conpensatory" tradeoff; labor for compensation, whether it be room and board or food or other supplies and neccessities for survival.

[Trusting Jesus]

Much of the slavery in the Old Testament was temporary (in payment of debt) and the slaves were set free after 7 years (unless they wanted to stay). God isn't unjust, and even though this sounds harsh to us. Isn't it good to know, though, that we aren't under the Law anymore and if we have a debt we can make payments (well, that is sort of slavery I guess).

<>< ><>

Nathele

[EricH]

The passage in question is addressing under what conditions personal injury cases can be brought against individuals. It is not making a moral statement on the institution of slavery.

[irishcowboy]

Eric is correct on this,

no different then the dog I use to have, was the most gentle dog I have ever seen, strong, smart, but then one day, and no one there can tell me what happened, the dog bit a young girl (8 years old) on the face..... there were three adults right there, one of them my son, who's dog it actually was, my dad, the girls mom, my mom, then there were at least 6 other kids..... no one knows why the dog bit..... the girl had not just eaten either......

well, biblically, the dog was not known to be a mean dog, so the liability is not on my shoulders..... however, now that the dog has bitten, and i am aware of this, if some one else gets bit, i am liable....

there is only a couple choices i have...... being the dog is over almost 10 years old, and my son was getting ready to move out..... and not take the dog...... i can either take a chance the dog will never bite again, or knowing that the dog has now bitten, and has a better chance of biting again, put the dog down.

insurance wise, dog down....... liability wise, dog down....... my own piece of mind, dog down......

what happens next time.... a little child looses an eye? ( this little girl has a mark on her cheek half way between the eye and the mouth, and another spot on the nose, and a line on her lip from this bite)....

sorry, not taking the chance some one may loose an eye, finger, nose, ear, or even their life.... DOG DOWN......

should i have chosen to keep the dog, and the dog does this again, hmmm dont even want to think about the problems that could arise......

are we to live by Grace? yes, through Christ, we can live by Grace..... does this mean we are to ignore the LAW? NO WAY,

"IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU WILL KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS"

now do we keep them out of fear? obligation? or love?

I keep them (to the best of my ability) out of love, and I thank God every day for His Son and the Salvation He provided for me, so that I am not held to the penalty of the Law......

mike