by Hal Scholes

Created on: March 17, 2009

Down through history slavery has been a part of the human condition. The American Emancipation Proclamation did not put an end to all slavery in the world. Even in the dawning years of the Twenty-first Century there is still slavery in the world. Some have used the Holy Bible to justify slavery. Even though the Scripture does not condemn slavery, they do contain some radical ideas about a situation most contemporary societies took for granted.

To begin with we need to consider the Hebrew slaves in Egypt. Originally, Jacob and his twelve sons and their families migrated to Egypt because of a famine. This band of nomads was well received because Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, was highly favored by Pharaoh. Eventually Pharaohs came into power who did not recognize Joseph and the descendants of these original immigrants became subject to cruel bondage. Four hundred years later a pharaoh even declared that all male Hebrew infants would be killed. The Bible tells us that God heard their cries and sent them a deliverer. To us that only seems right, but to those living when these events took place it was not the norm. Rulers reigned with divine sanction. In some cases, the rulers themselves were considered gods. The idea that a god, let alone the God, would hear slaves and even intervene on their behalf against their "divine" masters went contrary to the generally held beliefs of the times.

When this mixed multitude of slaves were miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage, God, who delivered them, gave them His law. In many instances, especially when dealing with those less fortunate, the people were reminded that they were once bondmen in Egypt. There were also specific laws regarding the treatment of slaves. The most astounding of these is that after seen years of service any slave was offered there freedom. So, even though the law allowed slavery, it did not allow unbridled abuse and gave every slave genuine hope for freedom.

In the New Testament there are several passages that require masters to treat their slaves with justice and charity. Masters are reminded that they also have a Master, God, to whom they shall give account. Furthermore the Apostle Paul sent an epistle to an acquaintance named Philemon. In sending Philemon's slave, Onesimus, back to him, Paul gave specific directions as to how Onesimus was to be received. Philemon was to receive his slave now as a brother, and to treat him even as he would treat Paul himself. Paul even states that if Onesimus owes anything to Philemon, to put it on his (Paul's) account Even though Paul does not command Philemon to release his slave, it is strongly implied.

Even though the Bible does not condemn slavery, it does make it clear that no man or woman is to be treated as mere property. God raised up a nation out of bondage, He gave that nation laws protecting those in bonds, and makes it clear in the New Testament that all men and women are brothers and sisters in Christ.

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