Servant For Life
"But if your servant says to you, 'I do not want to leave you,' because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, then take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your female servant." Deuteronomy 15:16-17
"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." John 12:26
I have often been intrigued as to the markings people put on their bodies and the reasons they do so. For example, what causes a person to desire piercing and stretching their earlobes, wearing plugs in them? I am sure there are many different reasons.
In ancient times, the practice was a demonstration of one belonging to a tribe or family. It was a sign of love and it bolstered a sense of pride among the group.
But, when I see someone whose ear has been stretched--gauged--and plugged, I think of the practice in the Holy Bible regarding Old Testament Hebrew slaves. Exodus 21 and Deuteronomy 15 talk about this practice.
It went like this: At the end of every seven years, the Israelites were to cancel all debts they had with one another. And if a fellow Israelite sold himself or herself as a slave, they were to let the person go free in the seventh year, giving generous gifts to them. But, if the slave did not want to leave, his earlobe was pierced with an awl as a sign he or she was a servant for life.
I don't know about you, but I love God and want to be God's servant for life. And, while I don't have my earlobe marked with an awl, I pray my life--and yours, too--demonstrate that we love Him, follow Him, serve Him, and never ever want to leave Him.
Goodnight, Runners.
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