Exodus 21 The Lord gives Moses "ordinances" - verdicts for certain acts;  the act, place, suit, crime, and the penalty.   As Moses heard the complaints of the people against one another, he had inquired of God, and here on the mountain, he is given a series of instructions on how to handle certain situations.

Verses 1-11 have to do with servants/slaves.  We hate the idea of slavery so much that we can't even understand why it is allowed in Israel at this time.  But, it was happening, and God gave instructions that would bring fair treatment to those who were in that situation.

v2  Hebrew slaves ( males) could only be bound to serve 6 years.  After that they were to be freed.
v3 The family of the slave was to be freed also,  unless the master had given him a wife.  then she and her children would still remain with the master.
v5-6  A slave could choose to stay with his master and family permanently if he wanted to.
7-11  A girl who is sold by her father as a female slave would be treated differently than a man.
If the girl was meant for the master and he isn't pleased, then she must be redeemed.
If he gives her to his son, then she should be treated like a daughter.
If he marries someone else, then she has to be well cared for, or set free.

In Leviticus 25 more instructions are given.  " And if a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to you that he sells himself to you, you shall not subject him to a slave's service.  He shall be with you as a hired man, as if he were a sojourner with you, until the year of jubilee..... You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God."

And in Deuteronomy 15: 12-15 God says, " If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, the he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall set him free. And when you set him free, you shall not send him away empty-handed .  You shall furnish him liberally from your flock and from your threshing floor and from your wine vat; you shall give to him as the Lord your God has blessed you.  And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord Your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today. "

These verdicts were only designated for fellow countrymen.   People who were so poor, they needed help from their fellow citizens.   It was temporary.  It was protected.  It was supposed to lead to the restoration of the man and his family.

But, the Israelites failed to obey.  Jeremiah 34:13- 17;20  " Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ' I made a covenant with your forefathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, saying, At the end of seven years each of you shall set free his Hebrew brother who has been sold to you and has served you six years, you shall send him out free from you; but your forefathers did not obey Me,or incline their ear to Me. Although recently you had turned and done what is right in My sight, each man proclaiming release to his neighbor, and you had made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name.  Yet you turned and profaned My name, and each man took back his male servant and each man his female servant, whom you had set free according to their desire, and you brought them into subjection to be your male servants and female servants.  Therefore thus says the Lord, You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming release each man to his brother, and each man to his neighbor; Behold, I am proclaiming a release to you, declares the Lord, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth.... and I will give them into the hand of their enemies....' "

We live in an evil world and we hear of those who are doing horrible things to each other.  From this passage we can know that God cares about those who are being treated in this fashion and He will bring judgement.  He commands us to "Love our neighbor as ourselves."  To help those who need a helping hand.  To treat each other with respect and fairness.   And when we fail to do so, when greed and pride and the desire for power over others consumes us, He will give the same verdict - the sword, pestilence, and famine.   We see this happening before our eyes - the swords are now guns; violent crimes, children shooting children; men and women shooting and killing their own family members;  Pestilence - diseases that eat away our bodies; that devour our families; that bring destruction and death;  And famine - physical starvation is a world-wide reality;   spiritual starvation is even greater;  The world searches for bread - and we have the Bread of Life!

Jesus, You are the Bread of Life.  You are the Word that became flesh.  You are the Light of the World and the Light of Life.  You are the real Redeemer and we need You.  Come Lord Jesus and bring Life and Light and Redemption to our world... to our neighbors, to our brothers and sisters, to our children and grandchildren.  Hear our prayers, Father in Heaven, and fill us with Your Spirit that we may walk in the Light and bring Your Light to those who are in great need.  Open our eyes and use as to proclaim the True release - Your deliverance from death and sin and slavery to the things of this world. We offer ourselves to You, our Heavenly Master, Whom we love and commit to serve You forever. Amen.