Reading: Romans 6: 15-18
Reflective Thoughts
Pierced ears
Slavery in Israel was different from what we know of it in our history. Men who fell on hard times could actually sell themselves into slavery in order to pay off debts. They were similar to employees who exchanged services in exchange for room and board instead of a paycheck. In Deuteronomy 15, God established a boundary of six years. In the seventh year, all debts were considered paid in full and the slave/employee was to be set free with an abundance of supplies, livestock and everything he would need to start over.
But there is this curious possibility in Deuteronomy 15:16-17 that the slave will not want to go-because he loves his master. In an ironic twist, he uses his new freedom to choose to stay forever. The master pierces his ear with a thin piece of wood and establishes a life-long covenant. Paul tells us repeatedly that we have been set free. Verses 17-18 tell us that our faith in the work of Christ was like making a choice to move from the bondage of sin to obedience. You may not have pierced ears for spiritual reasons, but today you can use your new freedom to choose to serve the master you love.