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OnesimusRunaway slaveConverted by PaulSent backSlavery in 1st Century RomeHow one came into slaveryWhere slaves were employedLaws protecting slave owners, not slavesTreatment of slavesTreatment of slaves under Rome
Fair treatment was economically soundHard work often came with an allowance (peculium)Some allowed to marrySome made willsSome held propertySome became close to household membersCelebrity slaves – gladiators
Usually POWs or convicted criminalsPhysically fitSent to special schoolTrained by ex-gladiator trainersLearned combat plus protocolDid not always die in the fightFighting a good fight was prerequisite for livingSome became well-known celebritiesCould be granted freedomPaths to freedom
Process called manumissions – several typesMost common – magistrate ceremonyMaster’s willDeclared free by master – apply for citizenshipSlave womenMarrying their mastersAllowed children to be born freeLeast common – buying one’s own freedomSome who gained freedom also did very well.Eurysaces: a freed slave who opened a baking operation that made him rich.Although being a slave in Rome made life difficult, it was not always a hopeless situation.Slavery and the Bible
Old TestamentCurse upon Canaan (Genesis 9:25-27)Was the “curse of Canaan” upheld in perpetuity by God?Who were/are the descendants of Canaan and how many generations bore the curse, if it was to be borne?Does God condemn people because of the sins of their ancestors? Ezekiel 18Joseph sold into slavery by his brothersDid God approve or was this part of God’s plan?Did God condone the act?Slaves held by IsraelitesLaw of Moses – Exodus 21-23Treatment of slavesProtects the slavesNot the ownersSlaves to be freed after seven yearsTaking of slavesAllowedNot allowedGod stated His distaste for his people being slaves – they were His.Hosea 2:23; I Peter 2:10; I Corinthians 7:21Did God approve of slavery?
Did not approve of divorce – stated soMalachi 2:16Mark 10:2-12 (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9) – “From the beginning”Where it startsExodus 21:16 – To forcibly take a slave = deathAppears forced slavery not allowedNot restriction as to nationality or religionFact of slaveryWe know that God did not condone forcibly taking one into slavery at the time the law was given.He did not want an Israelite to be a slave beyond Jubilee every. Why? Leviticus 25:55God approved of slavery as punishment – Exodus 22:2-4Caleb
The familiar accountFrom Numbers 13 and 14Spies chosen – one from each tribe (Numbers 13:2)Caleb chosen from Judah (Numbers 13:4)Contention upon their return (Numbers 13:25-33)Caleb quiets their murmuring (Numbers 13:30)Israel’s rebellion (Numbers 14:1-10)Caleb and Joshua tear their clothes (Numbers 14:6-9)Threat of stoningGlory of the Lord fills the tent of meeting (Numbers 14:10)God condemns Israel (Numbers 14:11-12)Moses contends for Israel (Numbers 14:13-19)God relents, passes judgment (Numbers 14:15-38)What followsGod’s promisesJoshua and Caleb survive (Numbers 32:10-12)Caleb now arbiter of Judah’s inheritance (Numbers 34:16-19)More on why this has come to pass (Deuteronomy 1:34-39)Promise of land to CalebNote who will possess the landInstructions concerning Joshua – encourage himTaking the landConquests of southern and northern CanaanConquests east of JordanDividing the land (Joshua 14:5)Caleb’s request of Joshua fulfilled (Joshua 14:6-15)He’s got it, now he has to take itTaking possessionStarts in Joshua 15Caleb takes Kiriath-arbaDrives out sons of Anak (remember Numbers 13:33?)Offered his daughter to one who took Kiriath-sepherOthniel wins the prizePassing it onCaleb gives Othniel his daughterShe convinces Othniel to ask for land from CalebHe agrees, she makes the requestObtains Negev and its upper and lower springsStays in the familyOthniel becomes the first judge over IsraelTakeawaysCaleb had faith in God and His promisesExpressed that faithStood for God when dangerous to do soContinued in his faithPatience for 40 years to enter promised landPatience for 45 years to receive his inheritanceGod rewarded Caleb’s faithfulnessFulfilled His promise to CalebAdded to that promise – became father-in-law to the first judge of Israel
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