Published by 1Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. 2If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4If his master have given him a wife, and she have borne him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. 5And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: 6then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the doorpost; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever.
This is clearly a picture of Christ. The parallels between the slave and Christ are undeniable.
The slave has a number of characteristics that parallel Christ and, in a sense, parallel the walk of a believer.
- The slave in this passage has met his obligation to the master.
- The slave is now able to rest from his works as he has entered the Sabbath year of his service.
- The slave professes his love for his master, his bride, and his children.
- The slave agrees to be branded and serve the master forever. (Note that it does not say something like, for all his days, but it says forever.)
The life of Christ fulfills this prophecy.
Jesus met his obligation to the Father:
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. – Matthew 3:16-17
Jesus Christ has completed His work:
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. – John 17:4
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. – John 19:30
Jesus professes His love for His master:
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. – John 5:30
Jesus professes His love for His bride and children:
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. – John 10:14-15
Jesus is marked by God and serves God for all time:
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. – Matthew 17:5
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:9-11
