Understanding Slavery and Servitude in the Biblical Context || Exodus Topical Study || Session 37

What if you could get a comprehensive understanding of slavery in the Bible from a historical perspective? Today's deep-dive session offers just that. We navigate through the complex subject of servitude, analyzing the Hebrew words 'ebed’ and 'abad' and their translated meaning in various Biblical passages. We also examine the different types of bondslave arrangements during Biblical times. We shed light on how the Mosaic Law not only addressed servitude but also directly prohibited all people from being kidnapped and sold into slavery.

Ever wondered how concepts like dowries, bride prices, and voluntary slavery played out in the ancient world? Be prepared for some thought-provoking insights. In today's session, we scrutinize the cultural backdrop that shaped views on marriage and slavery during Biblical times. We bring to light how customs like dowries and bride prices, often seen as survival mechanisms, were prevalent in the ancient world. We draw examples from notable Biblical figure Jacob, who voluntarily became a bond slave, elucidating the stark contrast between the options available in ancient times and now.

Our exploration doesn't stop there. We delve deeper into the biblical perspective on slavery, discussing the issue of kidnapping in the ancient world and why the Mosaic Law prevented it. We look at instances like in Second Kings 4:1, where a family was debt-bonded and the creditor seized the family members as a bond slave. Our episode is more than a dry historical account. It's a journey that takes you back in time, provoking thought and offering perspectives that enlighten your understanding of a sensitive issue that is used by modern critics, skeptics, and scoffers to divide people. We've woven together historical facts with Biblical teachings and cultural understandings, creating a tapestry that promises to challenge your assumptions and broaden your perspective. Tune in and be prepared to see the ancient world in its proper context.

All of the "Slavery" three part series are recommended for anyone facing skeptics, and atheists attempting to twist Scripture's clear meaning. This series is a must for students headed to college campuses where scoffers lay in wait to try and confuse a young Christian's understanding of God and their faith.