Selling oneself

 Jeremiah 34:8-22

Selling oneself for a set time to meet a financial obligation is not a new thing and has been practiced from the time the children of God were released as slaves in Egypt, until this day in nations around the globe.  Many a young person who has no understanding of history will be blown away that it was common in the early days of America, and they were not blacks coming from Africa but poor white Europeans.  “Until the late 18th century, indentured servitude was very common in British North America. It was often a way for poor Europeans to immigrate to the American colonies: they signed an indenture in return for a passage. After their indenture expired, the immigrants were free to work for themselves or another employer.

In some cases, the indenture was made with a ship's master, who on-sold the indenture to an employer in the colonies. Most indentured servants worked as farm laborers or domestic servants, although some were apprenticed to craftsmen.  The terms of an indenture were not always enforced by American courts, although runaways were usually sought out and returned to their employer.” (Wikipedia)   

Judah also was guilty of this, and God had set up a rule of what a Hebrew could and couldn’t do in regards to another Hebrew.  They could sell themselves into slavery to meet a financial obligation, but at the end of seven years, they had to be set free.  The seven years were ignored, and this was not pleasing to God, so King Zedekiah made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom to them.  This was the agreement, each man would free his male and female Hebrew slaves and no one would enslave his Judean brother.  So all those holding a Hebrew as slaves entered into the covenant and the Babylonian army is withdrawing and it looks like life is good once more.

But do you recall one of mankind’s ongoing problems of greed?  Yes, it did not take long for it to pop up its ugly head and the Hebrews who were slaves were once more enslaved.  I bet you recall that obedience brings blessings and disobedience brings curses, which is what is going to take place in Jerusalem.  “Therefore, thus says the Lord: You have not obeyed me by proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother and to his neighbor; behold, I proclaim to you liberty to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 34:17)  I hope you read the remaining verses and never forget God is a promise keeper, He vows and makes covenants and keeps them, and expects us to do the same!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice