Pierce My Ear
In Exodus 19 we read about the preparations made before Moses goes up to Mt. Sinai to receive to Ten Commandments. In chapter 20 the commandments and in chapter 21 we have some explicit ordinances commanded by God. Particularly, in 21:1–11 there are restrictions given about owning a Hebrew male slave. No one could own a Hebrew male slave for more than six years. At the end of the six years the slave was to be set free, including his wife and children. But only if he was already married and had children prior to his servitude. If the master gave the slave a wife during his service, the wife and any children born to the union belonged to the master. At the end of his six-year service he had a decision to make. He could leave and be a free man without his wife and children, or he could choose to remain a servant, keep his wife and children, and serve the master for the rest of his life. “‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,’ then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently” (Exodus 21:5–6).
As Americans we like the idea of freedom, yet we often take our freedom for granted. Many Christians likewise take their freedom in Christ for granted or fail to understand the what true freedom is because we like to attach to it our own definitions and concepts. We are to be permeant slaves for Christ (Romans 6:17). We were once slaves to sin but Jesus bought us and we are to have had our ear (heart) pierced in eternal devotion to Him. Romans 6:18 says, “and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of right-eousness.” We make a choice, we can either become a slave to righteousness or a slave to sin.
The law of Moses was not about vengeance, but justice. God protects the helpless, provides for the needy, and blesses the righteous. He gave the children of Israel a pattern to follow in all things. He too gives us a pat-tern and a law. Indeed, if we love the Master, and our families, we will allow Him to pierce our ear, and we will serve Him forever (21:5–6). Be faithful!