Daily Readings in the Bible Deuteronomy 14-16

A Hebrew man could sell himself as a slave to pay any debt (Ex. 21:1-6; Lev. 25:39-45; Deut. 15:12-18). This type of voluntary slavery shouldn’t be confused with forced slavery, or the slavery of the Antebellum period. Moses said that such slaves were to be released after six years of service. In order for the newly freed slave to start a new life, the master was to give them ample provision.

In some cases a slave may feel happy to stay with his master indefinitely, and decide not to leave....