In my experience growing up in Christianity, the subject of slavery in the bible was rarely mentioned,
and if it was, it was easily dismissed.
Most christians never give it much thought, and some aren't even aware the subject is in the bible,
outside of Moses freeing the Hebrew slaves in Egypt.
In general there is a perception among most Christians I knew that while God did some strange things in the Old Testament,
at the end of the day, God is God and His ways are not our Ways.
He knows best and what He does is best for that time and place.
Who are we to question the Creator of the universe?
So with this mindset, it becomes easier to ignore some of the more strange actions of God in the Old Testament,
and instead tell people to read the New Testament, since that is the most relevant section of the bible for Christians today.
Well, I think it's important to have a look at what God says about slavery.
Let's start with one of God's most notable attributes:
"For I am the LORD, I change not"
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
If Jesus is God, then the same attribute applies to God.
"They will perish, but you remain forever;
they will wear out like old clothing.
You will change them like a garment
and discard them.
But You are always the same;
You will live forever."
Now, let's have a look at verses that talk about slavery.
The following verses are part of the Law of Moses. Also note that it is God Himself speaking.
[reading on-screen text]
Doesn't that sound like blackmail?
If he declares that he wants to stay with his family, then he must become a slave forever.
In the next book, Leviticus, God continues with the Law.
[reading on-screen text]
Wait a minute. We just saw in the previous Exodus verse that they are *allowed* to take Hebrew slaves.
The term Hebrew was the older name for Israelites.
Once the Hebrews came out of Egypt, they started being called Israelites, and would later became known as Jews.
So at some point between the 10 Commandments being given,
and the rest of the Law being handed down to Moses,
God had already changed His mind as to whether Israelites can become slaves!
Let's continue.
[reading on-screen text]
Isn't it strange how God hates the thought of His own people becoming slaves again, like they were in Egypt,
but He has no problem with the children of Israel enslaving foreigners and their children?
What happened to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"?
Many christians believe that slavery in the Bible isn't the same as slavery as we know it today.
They were just servants, not actual slaves.
Let's dig deeper and see if we can find evidence of that.
[reading on-screen text]
Ok. As a slave, not only is she bound to her owner by a contract,
but because she is a woman, she cannot go free after six years.
Only male slaves are released after six years.
Furthermore, God endorses polygamy.
What else does God say?
[reading on-screen text]
Let's sum up what we've learned so far:
God gives Israelites the permission to keep slaves
God first said it's ok to keep Hebrew slaves,
then changed His mind and says to keep non-Israelite slaves only.
God specifically endorses child slavery
God has no problem with polygamy
Slaves would have to make payment for their freedom
Male slaves are bound to their owner by contract for six years
God discriminates against female slaves, they are not to be released after six years, unlike male slaves.
God commands that certain slaves be publically humiliated
by having their ear pierced with an awl, to show they are forever someone's slave.
God says it's ok to beat your slaves as long as they don't die as a result.
After all, the slave is your property.
What part of any of this is better than slavery was in North America?
Even if we say that God no longer requires obedience to the Law,
or that those laws are only for a specific time and place,
what do these commands say about God's character?
Does it fit with your understanding of how the God of the bible should act?
Would Jesus say child slavery is ok?
If Jesus came to earth at that time, would He beat His slave within an inch of their life,
just like His heavenly father said He could?
Would Jesus advise men that it's ok to have two or more wives,
just make sure you keep having sex with your previous slave wives?
I thought I was done going through the relevant Old Testament verses, but later on in Deuteronomy, I find this verse:
[reading on-screen text]
It looks like God changed His mind again! Now the women *can* be freed after six years,
and not only that, but their owners are to give them all sorts of goods and send them on their way.
In Exodus, having Hebrew slaves was ok,
then in Leviticus, God says Hebrews are *never* to be treated as slaves,
but now in Deuteronomy God says it's all good again,
and tells the slave owners to shower them with gifts because God feels bad about their slavery in Egypt.
What is that, a guilt offering?
If God feels so bad about it, why not just ban Hebrew slavery like He did back in Leviticus?
See you in part 2.