Exodus 21:7-11: a reflection

This law about a female servant, set in a world where the vulnerable had little protection, holds those who have others in their power accountable to treat them justly, not depriving them of their due. Even a woman sold into servitude was not to be treated as a mere possession to be used and discarded; the law guaranteed her food, clothing, and marital rights, and freedom if these were denied her. He shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marital rights, the law insists; and if he does not do these three things for her, she may go free without paying any money. The one with power over her was accountable to provide for her and treat her justly, and could not deprive her of her due. This shows that we are accountable for how we treat those dependent on us. We are accountable to treat justly those in our power. Do not deprive those dependent on you of their due. Power over others brings responsibility to provide and deal justly. Even the vulnerable have rights God will uphold.

Notice what this law establishes. In a world where a woman sold into servitude might easily be treated as a mere possession, used and then deprived or discarded, God's law steps in to protect her and to hold her master accountable. It guarantees her basic rights: food, clothing, and her marital rights were not to be diminished; and if these were denied her, she was to go free. The one who had power over her was not free to do as he pleased, but was accountable to provide for her and treat her justly, and could not deprive her of what was due to her. This reveals a principle that reaches beyond its setting. Those who have others in their power or dependent on them, whether workers, family members, or any who rely on us, bear a responsibility to treat them justly, to provide for them, not to deprive them of what is due to them or use their dependence to their disadvantage. Power over others is not a license to do as we please with them, but a responsibility to deal with them justly and provide for their due. And God upholds the rights even of the vulnerable, holding accountable those who would deprive them. We do well to treat justly those in our power or dependent on us, providing for them and not depriving them of their due, mindful that we are accountable to God for how we treat them. Treat justly those in your power or dependent on you; do not deprive them of their due. Power over others brings responsibility, not license. God upholds the rights even of the vulnerable. You are accountable to God for how you treat those who depend on you.

That is worth taking to heart, for we are accountable for how we treat those in our power or dependent on us, and are called to treat them justly and not deprive them of their due, as this law held a master accountable to provide for his servant. We can treat those dependent on us as we please, depriving them of their due; but God's law guaranteed even a servant her food, clothing, and rights, and held her master accountable. Deal justly. Do not use your power over others to deprive them of their due; treat those dependent on you justly, providing for them, mindful that God holds you accountable. Treat justly those in your power or dependent on you, providing for them and not depriving them of their due, mindful that God holds you accountable, as this law about a female servant, set in a world where the vulnerable had little protection, held those with others in their power accountable to treat them justly, guaranteeing even a woman sold into servitude her food, clothing, and marital rights and her freedom if these were denied, insisting that her master not diminish these and that she go free without payment if he failed to provide them; for even a woman sold into servitude was not to be treated as a mere possession to be used and discarded, and the one with power over her was accountable to provide for her and treat her justly and could not deprive her of her due, which reveals a principle reaching beyond its setting, that those who have others in their power or dependent on them, whether workers, family members, or any who rely on us, bear a responsibility to treat them justly, provide for them, and not deprive them of what is due or use their dependence to their disadvantage, since power over others is not a license to do as we please but a responsibility to deal justly and provide for their due, and God upholds the rights even of the vulnerable and holds accountable those who would deprive them, so that we do well to treat justly those in our power or dependent on us.