Slave or Servant?

(Proverbs 29:21 KJV)  He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

A strange reality to us today is that the Bible does not condemn slavery.  This is missed by the way in which this word is translated.  Some translations, such as the KJV, use “servant”.  Others, such as the NASB, use “slave” (5650).  Either is an acceptable translation and that seems repugnant to our modern minds.  As a clear example look at this verse.

(Exodus 12:44 KJV)  But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

In ancient culture there was little difference between a servant and a slave since all power belonged to the ruling class and the idea of personal rights would have been a mystery.

What is really hard for us to accept is the idea of submission.  Too often we reject the submission required of us because in our American arrogance we reject the idea of slavery.

So?  Are you too proud to bend your knee to Almighty God?  Do you feel that a head nod is enough?  Pray that we can learn the lesson of submission without too much pain.