In Yahweh’s first set of practical laws in Exodus 21:2-11, he’s dealing with the Israelites having lived so long in the Egyptian culture that they knew little else. It would seem quite normal, therefore, that some people are masters and others mere slaves. So when they left Egypt, is it any surprise that the Israelites took on the same master/slave culture?
But could Yahweh have allowed it to happen as an illustration of the inevitable issues that would face all nations? Egypt, for instance, had become a great nation in wealth, stability and power, but much of it on the backs of the Israelite slaves after Joseph died. Which seemed to work just fine, though, having a managerial class who ran the show, and a vast working class who did their bidding.
The issue with that, however, was the constant danger of the working class waking up to how they were being used and abused, and because of their vast numbers grabbing whatever opportunity came their way, like the approach of an invading enemy, to turn on their masters – which was exactly what the Egyptians feared the Israelites would do (1:8-10).
And what nation through history, basing its success on the managerial/working class structure, hasn’t experienced the possibility of a revolution when people see their government leaders as self-serving and corrupt? Again, it’s an inevitable issue all nations face, that rotten leadership leads to horrible things happening, especially when the ruling class refuses to listen to the cries of its people, and prefers instead to crush any opposition or threat to its policies and ideologies. But in Exodus 21:2, Yahweh also accepted masters buying servants, which sounds like a continuation of the managerial/working class structure with its inevitable issues, so why would he do that?
Because in any society on whatever scale, whether a nation, a community, family, school or workplace, some people just end up leading because of their natural strength, wisdom or charisma, or by being bullies. And how those leaders operate shapes the lives of everybody else. It’s amazing how much influence these leaders have, and how dependent everyone else is on them. So it’s crucial that those who inevitably end up in leadership positions know the rules of leadership that work, which is what Yahweh put into place as early as Exodus 21.
Those who find themselves in positions of leadership, therefore, know what to do – which first and foremost is caring and providing for the vulnerable. But right on its heels is “The vital importance of justice”….(next blog)
