Servanthood in the Bible
Servanthood in the Old Testament.
The Sabbath day was the day of rest for every man, his son and daughter, and for the male and female servant. Deuteronomy 5:12-14a.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house…wife, or male or female servant…Exodus 20:17.
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God broiught you out…therefore God has commanded you to observe the sabbath day. Deuteronomy 5:15.
Voluntary servanthood. Slavery among Hebrews. Exodus 23:12.
Will serve 6 years and then go free. Exodus 21:2.
Cruelty by the owner resulted in immediate freedom for the slave. Exodus 21:26-27.
Female slaves can become wife of owner or his son and fully freed. Exodus 21:8-10.
Gentile male prisoners of war become permanent property. Lev. 25:44-46. Females treated as Hebrews. Deuteronomy 21:10-14.
David refers to himself as God’s servant. Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your unfailing Love. Psalm 31:14-16.
Servanthood in the New Testament.
Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:34-35.
Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am my servant will be…John 12:26.
Paul’s instruction to Slaves and Masters. Ephesians 6:5-9.
Paul pleads with Philemon regarding Onesimus-Receive him as a brother not as a servant. Philemon 1:10-18.
New Testament verses often refer to servants as servants of God. I Corinthians 7:20-23.
At the time of Jesus there were servants owned by masters. Some sold themselves as slaves to have a higher standard of life. Some earn enough to buy their freedom. Some could be set free by their masters.
Below is the audio message.
Below is the undelined link to the notes pdf.