Servants Forever

-January 28, 2022-

Good morning, happy Friday,

“But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.”

(Exodus 21:5-6).

Today’s text speaks of the provision of servants. There were times when a Hebrew man was bought as servant, usually because was in debt and could not pay. He would have to serve for six years, then in the seventh year, he then would go free and paying nothing. If he came in single, he went out single, if he and in married, his wife would go out free with him. If however his master gave him a wife and she bore him sons or daughters, they would have to stay and serve the master.

In cases like this, a servant had to choose to leave by himself or stay and become a perpetual servant, a servant forever. He had to willingly make the choice for himself, but once he decided to do this, he couldn’t change his mind. His master would bring him to the judges. They were witnesses to his decision to be a servant forever. The master would then take the servant to the door or doorpost, and pierce his eye with an awl. An awl was a sharp instrument used to bore a hole in the ear of servant. It is only mentioned in Scripture twice, Exodus 21:6 and Deuteronomy 15:17.

This represents our service to the Lord Jesus Christ. Not every believer in Christ is a servant, we must willingly offer ourselves to the Lord as servants forever. Jesus said in John 12:26, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” We can’t be half-way or part-time servants; we must be all in. We don’t pierce our ears physically but we consecrate our hearts and dedicate ourselves to being servants of Christ forever. We love Christ our Master and delight to serve Him.

Are you willing to be a servant of Christ forever, no turning back? Bill Gaither’s wonderful song says, “I will serve Thee, because I love Thee, You have given life to me; I was nothing before You found me, You have given life to me. Heartaches, broken pieces, ruined lives are why You died in Calvary; Your touch was what I longed for, You have given life to me.” Our Lord Jesus Christ loved us so much and died on the cross for us. Is He not worth serving every day the rest of our lives and into eternity? There is no higher place than to humbly and willing to serve our Lord! We can serve Him at church, at home, at school, at work, yes wherever we go. We serve the One who bought us with His blood.

Have a blessed day serving the Lord wherever you go today. He is worthy. Stay safe and healthy.

In His eternal service,

Dean