Deuteronomy 15:16

16 But suppose a male slave says to you, "I don't want to leave you," because he loves you and your family and is happy 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 Generously give them provisions--sheep from your flocks, grain from your threshing floor, and wine from your winepress. Be as generous to them as the LORD your God has been to you.
15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God freed you. That's why I'm giving you this command today.
16 But suppose a male slave says to you, "I don't want to leave you," because he loves you and your family and is happy with you.
17 Then take an awl and pierce it through his ear lobe into a door, and he will be your slave for life. Do the same to a female slave [if she doesn't want to leave].
18 If you have to let your slave go free, it won't be a hardship for you. It would have cost you twice as much to hire someone to do the same work for those six years. Besides, the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.
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