Many do not understand the role of a bondservant in relation to our Master Yeshua (Jesus). We Americans instinctively cringe at the thought of servitude, slavery, or bondage. And no wonder since our country was founded on freedom, in the very act of breaking away from servitude to the King of England. A dictionary definition of a bond servant is someone bound to labor without wages. A synonym of bond servant is slave. Now before we throw out this whole idea, let’s look at what God’s Word says about the law of the bond servant and how it might apply to us.
"Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them: "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. "If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. "If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. "But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ "then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever."
(Exodus 21:1-6 NKJV unless otherwise noted)The first judgments given to the children of Israel (after the 10 Commandments) were the instructions about servants. But there is something interesting mentioned in verse 5:
"But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,"
This is a big decision, a choice for life. The judges (v. 6) were present to witness the servant’s willingness to become a bond servant to the master, his willingness to give up his freedom to the master, to work for the master and to do his will.
Why would anybody not want to be set free? Who wants to be under the bondage of a master?
Laws, ordinances and statutes do not make us slaves. In fact, they make us free! For example, look at America. We probably have more laws on our books than any other nation, yet we are considered one of the freest nations on the earth. Take our traffic laws, without them there would be chaos on the streets. It is easy to see the value of the laws especially when everybody obeys them. God set His laws in place for us, for our good. God wants us to obey Him, to be a servant (a bondservant) to Him. He is our master, we are His servants.
Many today want to be rulers not servants. Many large egos rule the Church and have little desire to be servants to all. However we have clear instruction in God’s Word about this very subject.
"Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
(Mark 10:43-45)
Yeshua (Jesus) came to serve.
"For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
(Luke 22:27)
Yeshua is our example.
We are to do as He has shown us. Yeshua took the form of a bond servant.
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
(Philippians 2:7)
Yeshua came to do the will of His father.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’
(Hebrews 10:7)
We must allow God to have all authority in our lives. We do this because of our love for our Master.
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
(Deuteronomy 6:5)The above verse (in similar form) is repeated about 14 times in the Bible. Perhaps this is important?
But how do we become bondservants to the Most High God?
But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’"
(Luke 4:4)By reading Gods Word, (the whole bible,
all of Scripture, Old and New Testaments [Covenants]).
Every word that proceeds from Him is for our good; for our edification
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
(Proverbs 30:5)
Every word? Does this include God’s commandments and His Law?
My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.
(Psalms 119:172)Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.
(Psalms 119:142)For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
(1 John 5:3)
Can we be truly unburdened?
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
(Matthew 11:28-30)How do we find rest for our souls? By taking the yoke and burden of Yeshua. But notice, these things are light (praise God).
The one who is truly free has chosen to serve only God. No matter what happens, he lets his Master take care of it for him, this is freedom and peace. Submit yourself to God totally and completely. Then suddenly, your are set free. Free from the worrisome burdens that plague our everyday lives, free of the offenses taken at every turn, free to serve the Master, the Good Master. He will fight for us, He will stand in the gap for us, He will do all for us as we submit to Him and do everything He says.
A true servant to Yeshua will have peace.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
(John 16:33)
What examples are there in the Word about being bond servants of the Master?
The Israelites were servants of God.
‘For the children of Israel are servants to Me; they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 25:55)
Moses was a servant. God Himself says so.
Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house.
(Numbers 12:7)David was a servant.
I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies.
(Psalms 119:125)Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.
(Psalms 119:135)Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it.
(Psalms 119:140)Yeshua (Jesus) was a servant.
"To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."
(Acts 3:26)The apostles were bondservants
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
(Romans 1:1)Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
(Philippians 1:1)James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
(James 1:1)Notice that James had no problem with saying, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
(2 Peter 1:1)Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
(Jude 1:1)
Consider the parable of the talents.
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. "And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey… "After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ "His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ "He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ "His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ "But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ‘So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
(Matthew 25:14-15, 19-27, emphasis added)God’s will is for His servants to increase in the gifts that He gives them. His will is defined in His Word, in both the old and new covenant.
Perhaps, to some, obeying God’s law seems like bondage. But remember laws give us freedom.
We are made free in being a bondservant because we put all our burdens on Him. If we fully serve Him, fully give our lives over to Him, fully desire to do His will, not ours, He becomes our Good Master who cares for and is concerned about His servants. Yeshua said to turn the other cheek. Why? Maybe, because as His servants, our Master will take care of our issues. We don’t try to fix our issues with our feeble human attempts, with our frequent misunderstandings, with our frequently misplaced anger. Our Master does.
For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people."
(Hebrews 10:30)He will repay. We do not need to worry about it.
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
(Galatians 2:20).I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:13)Praise God for these things; not by our reasoning, not by our strength, but through Messiah who lives in us.
A servants prayer:
Most High God, thank You for all You do. You are the one true God; You who are King of the Universe. Who am I that You would take notice of me? You gave Your only Son to live and die for all mankind; and for me. Will You help me in my desire to be Your bond servant?. Teach me Your Way. Teach me Your Path which is true and righteous. Teach me to be a good servant. Teach me to humble myself to allow the spirit of Yeshua Messiah to flow in me. May I not quench Your spirit, but instead may I honor and glorify You with all I do, with all I say, and with all I think. Most Holy One, I desire to hear You say, Well done, good and faithful servant.
In the name of Yeshua (Jesus) our Savior.
Amen.