the ruminations of aaron eberline

>What must go through a person who decides to sell themselves as a bondservant? Wouldn’t this choice be agonizing just as stated in Leviticus 27:2: “when a man makes a difficult vow, he shall be valued according to your valuation of persons belonging to the Lord.” What circumstances brought a person to become a bondservant? Was it to support a family? Was it because they lacked an income?

Chapter 27 sets out the rule for which bondservants, animals, houses, and land were to be valued when sold. When something needed to be valued that was not listed specifically the item was shown to the priest and he would value it. When the priest valued an item was it recorded?

Chapter 27 sure seems to not apply to my life at this moment in time but as I think about it it does apply. It is so funny how eager I can be to say that a piece of scripture in the Old Testament can’t apply to my life today so just move along to something fun and more exciting. In this chapter God is setting a standard for fair practices when selling and trading items. These values were important because a person could restore a sold item by paying back the amount plus and extra fifth to the person currently in possession. A bond servant could by back their freedom and know the exact price needed. In my daily life I interact with people at stores and sometimes I may see an incorrectly priced item. It may be tempting to take advantage of the price but I know that God will be honored if I acknowledge the error and desire to pay the correct amount. Do I desire to live my life as honoring to God? Do you? In every action I make in life there are moments where I can give glory to God. Will I strive to bring that glory and honor to God? Lord I pray you grant me the ability to honor you.

I was inherently an harlot because of the sin that was rotting at my core. I easily chose to prostitute myself out to the desires of my flesh, the world, and I choose my own path. Unlike the people of Leviticus 27 who choose to become bondservants I was born as bondservant to sin and there was no way for me to pay the price of restoration. My valuation was shown by God through the cross. My bonds to sin were cut and my freedom from a life of sin because of Jesus Christ’s death for me on the cross. This is the grace that frees me to live. I am thankful.