Servant

“Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant.” Isaiah 44:21

Servant – Slave! (eved).  That’s the primary meaning of this word.  But slavery in the Hebrew culture was not like slavery in the Greek culture.  Nor was it like our modern version of slavery.  In the Hebrew culture, a person could only be held as a slave for six years.  The seventh year, the Year of Jubilee, was a year of freedom.  Slaves had rights and could attain position and power.  In fact, this word is used as a principle designation of the Messiah – the Servant of Lord.

However (and it’s a big “however”), we should not think that the relationship between master and slave was reduced to nothing more than employee.  Notice the context of God’s proclamation in this verse.  Why are we, the chosen ones, His slaves?  Because He has formed us.  We owe a great deal more to Him than six years service for the payment of a debt.  We owe our very existence to Him.  He has an absolute claim over us.

Nevertheless, God’s view of slavery is tempered by the Year of Jubilee.  He is gracious in spite of His rightful authority.  He established a proper order of submission and freedom.  Just as the law of Israel provided freedom to all slaves, so God provides freedom to His own slaves in the proper time.  God is no tyrant, but He is the absolute ruler.

The concept of slavery is an important one.  It appears over and over in the New Testament as well as the Old Testament.  It is not about forced surrender.  It is about voluntary submission.  It is submission for a season – a time designated by the Master as the proper period of obedience.

Are you serving from voluntary submission, under the authority of your Master, waiting for His Year of Jubilee when your obedience is completed?  The day is coming when Jesus will say to you, “I no longer call you slaves, but friends.”  Serve Him with a pure heart.  Learn His ways.  The Day of Jubilee is coming.