Greetings
Brethren,
We pray for
patience, faith and for God to increase our faith. We all need patience and
faith to understand what the Bible reveals about the various questions surrounding
servant/slaves. There are no contradictions in the Bible. However, man is full
of contradictions.
Peace and Love,
Carl Patton
writing for the FreedomJournal October 13, 2002 in the year of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
SLAVERY & THE BIBLE: MYTH OR REALITY
PART 11: RUNAWAY SERVANT/SLAVES OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT
In the name of Jehovah God, Master of the universe,
Ruler of the earth.
We bear witness
to the Truth of God as we continue our mission. Thanks be to God our Father and
to His Son who He sent to save the world. Gratitude to God and Jesus Christ for
the Holy Spirit that is the great comforter in times of peace and trouble.
May we bend the
ear, mind and heart of the Truth-Seekers. In the world of academics leaning to
the Social Sciences and especially history there is “time place and
condition." In the Bible we also see the essence of "time place and
condition." During the Old Law we see a temporary period that gave way and
made a transition to the New Law and Christianity. However, throughout the
Bible we see a custom established by the political authorities regarding
servant/slaves.
Throughout the
Roman Empire this system flourished. Meanwhile the Hebrews nor did the
Christians in later times have the power to change this system. Meanwhile, the
Christian principles begin to transform the relationships among the various
people on the earth. We will see as we continue this discussion that the Gospel
began to change the people within the social structures where a servant/slave system
existed.
For the record
we cannot leave the preceding premise without noting the following. A study of
the system of servant/slavery during the Old and New Testaments and the time of
the Roman Empire we see politics preceding economics. However the American
Slave Society was based on economic greed and they developed racism to justify
an economic system. Here we see one of the most important differences regarding
servants/slaves in the Bible and American Slavery that some mis-informed people
seek to relate.
Furthermore
Biblical servant/slave society had very little to do with race. Nor was this
system rooted and grounded in economic greed. The system was political and
established mainly due to the conquest of invading armies etc. Often this
system became evident due to the tenets of war. War and victory resulted in the
defeated army or captured subjects becoming prisoners. Many of these prisoners
became servant/slaves for the conquering army.
We will now go
on to Philemon and discover the essence of the message at this place. Philemon
was a wealthy man who held servant/slaves. Paul is writing this letter from
jail in Rome speaking for Onesimus who was a servant/slave to Philemon.
Onesimus has become a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and a friend of Paul. Paul writes this letter to encourage Philemon
to accept Onesimus as a brother as Philemon is also a believer.
Philemon
1:10-16. "I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my
bonds:"
1:11.
"Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee
and to me:"
1:12. "Whom
I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:"
1: 13.
"Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have
ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:"
1:14. "But
without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were
of necessity, but willingly."
1:15. "For
perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him
forever;"
1:16. "Not now
as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how
much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?"
Onesimus had run
away from his master. He met Paul and the Apostle taught him his duty to the
Lord. This duty taught to Onesimus also included his duty to his master. He
would now be profitable to his master and to Paul because of his fellowship
with the Lord. Meanwhile Paul in respect to Philemon did not bow to his
personal desires to keep Onesimus with him to minster the Gospel in the prison
where he was placed (along with other Apostles) for preaching the Gospel.
To keep Onesimus
with him would be depriving Philemon. However Paul tells Philemon that it has
been an advantage to you for Onesimus to leave because of his conversion. In
verse 16 we see that Onesimus was to continue as a servant to Philemon. They
now regarded him as a brother. This was a spiritual relationship that exceeded
that of an earthly servant.
We have also
been asked to compare this scripture to Deuteronomy 23:15. However before going
there we note that Paul is writing during the New Covenant and Christian
period. The scripture from Deuteronomy is taken from the Old Covenant and
Jewish Period. We also note that some may think that the following verse taken
from Deuteronomy contradicts the message noted in Philemon. Basically the
scripture in Philemon notes the return of a servant/slave. However, this return
is based on certain Christian principles. In Deuteronomy there are different
circumstances as we shall see.
Deuteronomy
23:15. "Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is
escaped from his master unto thee:"
Before we note
an explanation, we will note the verse following our primary verse.
23:16. "He
shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in
one of the gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him."
These verses
refer to the Old Law regarding runaway slaves from other countries. The Law was
for the Hebrews however there were provisions that of course affected other
people. These verses do not tell us how the servant made his escape. If he had
not done any injury to his Master's person or property etc., he was allowed his
freedom. (For the record Onesimus stole from his master).
His escape was
then considered the fault of his master. If prisoners escape without doing harm
to his surroundings, his continued freedom should be allowed as a penalty for
the negligence of the prison keeper. In Acts 16:27 we see this principle used
for the Philippian jailer.
We also suggest
that the reader see other scripture that notes runaway servant/slaves that are not
returned. In these passages note the particular circumstances to see that there
are no contradictions here regarding the scripture in the New Testament
especially the scripture noted in Philemon regarding Onesimus.
I Samuel 30:15.
We advise the reader to begin reading at verse 11 to get the full picture of
what is happening between David and the Egyptian slave.
"And David
said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto
me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hand of my
master, and I will bring thee down to this company."
The Egyptian
slave had been left by his master because he had become exhausted. David's men
gave him food and water. As he recovered his strength, he was able to assist
David to identify the people he was pursuing. The Egyptian slave agreed to give
David certain information if no harm would come to him and that David would not
deliver him to his master. (Also see 1
Samuel 25:10, 22:2).
Cont. Part 12: Is There A Christian Message To
The Christian Slaves?
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net