Lev 25:44 | MHM | STEP | v. 44, 46 : Israelites were allowed to buy slaves from the nations around them or from foreigners living among them, except for the nations God commanded them to destroy ( v. 44, 46 ). These foreign slaves could be kept as property and passed on to children as an inheritance, and they were not freed in the Year of Jubilee. This practice was connected to the blessing given to Jacob that "people will serve you" (Gen. 27:29 ). It also hinted at the future, when Gentiles would serve Christ and His people (Ps. 2:8; Isa. 61:5 ; Rev. 2:26, 27; Ps. 49:14 ). Only true Israelites by faith would benefit from spiritual freedom. Those who remained outsiders to faith stayed in bondage, as Paul said of Jerusalem after rejecting Christ (Gal. 4:25 ). Jewish teachers also encouraged kindness to all servants, even when strictness was not forbidden.

‏ Leviticus 25:44

v. 44, 46: Israelites were allowed to buy slaves from the nations around them or from foreigners living among them, except for the nations God commanded them to destroy (v. 44, 46 ^a). These foreign slaves could be kept as property and passed on to children as an inheritance, and they were not freed in the Year of Jubilee. This practice was connected to the blessing given to Jacob that "people will serve you" (Gen. 27:29 ^b). It also hinted at the future, when Gentiles would serve Christ and His people (Ps. 2:8; Isa. 61:5 ^c; Rev. 2:26, 27; Ps. 49:14 ^d). Only true Israelites by faith would benefit from spiritual freedom. Those who remained outsiders to faith stayed in bondage, as Paul said of Jerusalem after rejecting Christ (Gal. 4:25 ^e). Jewish teachers also encouraged kindness to all servants, even when strictness was not forbidden.