Deuteronomy 15:16

16 But if he says to you, "I will not go out from you," because he loves you and your household, since he is well off with you,

Deuteronomy 15:16 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:16

And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from
thee
Out of his house, nor quit his service:

because he loveth thee and thine house;
his master and his family, and so loath to leave them, but chooses rather to stay with them than have his liberty; hence the Jews say F11, if his master has not a wife and children, his ear is not to be bored:

because he is well with thee; lives well with him,
is well used by him, wants for nothing, and enjoys peace and quietness, and has everything to make him happy as such a state will admit of, and with the which he is well contented, and highly pleased. This is an emblem of the cheerful and constant obedience of the people of Christ to him their master, flowing from love to him; whom they love above all persons and things, with all their heart and soul, and his house also, the place of his worship, his ordinances, truths, ministers and children; and therefore choose to be where they are, finding that they are there well used, fare well, having bread enough and to spare, spiritual provisions in plenty; are well clothed with the righteousness of Christ, have the good company of the saints and excellent in the earth, in whom is all their delight; and, above all, the presence of their Lord and master, and the smiles of his countenance.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 Maimon. in Misn. Kiddushin, c. 1. sect. 2.

Deuteronomy 15:16 In-Context

14 Provide liberally out of your flock, your threshing floor, and your wine press, thus giving to him some of the bounty with which the Lord your God has blessed you.
15 Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; for this reason I lay this command upon you today.
16 But if he says to you, "I will not go out from you," because he loves you and your household, since he is well off with you,
17 then you shall take an awl and thrust it through his earlobe into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. You shall do the same with regard to your female slave.
18 Do not consider it a hardship when you send them out from you free persons, because for six years they have given you services worth the wages of hired laborers; and the Lord your God will bless you in all that you do.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.