We often admire people who saw truths long before the rest of the world caught up. William Wilberforce fought for the abolition of slavery when most still defended it. Florence Nightingale revolutionised healthcare with hygiene and sanitation decades before they became standard. And Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize winner (and the first East African woman to earn a PhD), planted millions of trees through the Green Belt Movement. She linked care for the environment with justice for women and the poor long before “sustainability” became a global concern.
In the same way, when we read Exodus 21–23, we discover that God’s laws were “ahead of their time.” Exodus 21–23 is known as the Covenant Code or the Book of the Covenant. The Lord made his covenant with Israel on Mt. Sinai in Exodus 19 and gave the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. Exodus 21–23 record the earliest set of laws in Scripture, given to Israel only months after they left Egypt. What is amazing is how these primitive laws protected the human dignity of servants, defended the vulnerable, and even cared for the land and the animals—principles the world is still learning to value.
1. Protection for the Servants (Exodus 21:2–11)
The code begins with laws protecting those who became servants through debt. There was no system of bankruptcy, no social welfare, and no banks in those days. If someone fell into debt, their only way to survive might be to sell their labour—or even themselves—into service. This was not usually “slavery” in the sense of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, but rather a form of debt-servitude or indentured labour.
If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh, he shall leave as a free man without payment. (Exod. 21:2, NASB)
Unlike the cruel, lifelong slavery in surrounding nations, God’s law set limits and gave servants the hope of freedom. This reflects God’s concern for human dignity, teaching us that no person is disposable or without rights.
The next case addresses a woman who is “sold” into a marriage arrangement. A destitute father might arrange for his daughter to enter another household, often with the expectation she would become a wife. This was a way to secure her future. If that marriage arrangement failed, she was vulnerable to exploitation. In pagan cultures, she could simply be abandoned or mistreated, and she could not be sold to foreigners.
If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights. But if he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go free for nothing, without payment of money. (Exod. 21:10–11, NASB)
If the man who married her took another wife, he could not mistreat her. He could neither neglect nor abuse her. He had to provide her with food, clothing, and love (incl. children). If he did not, she was allowed to go free for free! God’s law provided her with legal protection that safeguarded her dignity. The Old Testament laws were a huge step forward compared with surrounding nations, where women in such situations had no rights at all.
In our workplaces and communities, do we treat people as valuable image-bearers of God, as people first and foremost?
2. Justice for the Vulnerable (Exodus 22:21–24)
You shall not oppress a stranger nor torment him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not oppress any widow or orphan. If you oppress him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will assuredly hear his cry; and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless. (Exod. 22:21–24, NASB)
Israel was commanded to protect foreigners, widows, and orphans—the very people most often ignored or exploited in the ancient world. God himself promised to hear their cries and defend their cause. His heart is for justice and compassion.
Who are the vulnerable people in our communities today? Refugees, single parents, the poor—God calls us to reflect his heart in defending and caring for them.
3. Rest for People, Animals, and the Land (Exodus 23:10–12)
Now you shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield, but in the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie uncultivated, so that the needy of your people may eat; and whatever they leave the animal of the field may eat. You are to do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove. (Exod. 23:10–11, NASB)
Every seventh year, the land was to rest, feeding the poor and even wild animals. Modern agricultural science now confirms that taking a break from crops is good for land and the ecosystem. It restores nutrients in the soil, retains moisture, reduces erosion, disrupts pests and diseases, and promotes biodiversity. God knew this long before we discovered it. In the year that the landowner did not plant crops, some would grow naturally. He was not allowed to harvest them; they were left for the poor and the animals. Does God care about animals?
For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as the stranger residing with you, may refresh themselves. (Exod. 23:12, NASB)
Every seventh day, all people—including servants and foreigners—and even animals were to rest. The wealthy landowner was prone not to care about the well-being of servants and foreigners, of oxen and donkeys. But God cared about them.
God’s compassion for all his creation gave rise to this law, which combines social and ecological justice. It protects vulnerable parts of his creation—servants and foreigners, land, and animals—against exploitation.
In a world addicted to productivity, God reminds us that rest is his gift—for people, animals, and creation. Do we live with a rhythm that honours God’s design?
Conclusion
These laws were centuries if not millennia ahead of their time. They were not just clever human ideas. They came from the God of justice and mercy, who calls his people to reflect his character. As we follow Christ, we continue this calling: to honour the dignity of every person, to defend the vulnerable, and to live in rhythms of rest and care for creation.
We cannot miss how future heroes, driven by their faith in Christ, were living out his ancient laws.
William Wilberforce’s fight for freedom echoes God’s concern for servants’ dignity (Exod. 21:2–11).
Florence Nightingale’s care for the sick mirrors God’s heart for widows, orphans, and strangers (Exod. 22:21–24).
Wangari Maathai’s vision for creation care reflects God’s wisdom in commanding rest for people, animals, and the land (Exod. 23:10–12).
God’s laws were always wise, just, and merciful—and they were often ahead of their time. Whenever you struggle to understand one of his laws, trust that it was good and seek to understand how it reflects his wisdom.
AI Disclaimer:
This blog post has been edited for grammar, clarity, and readability using AI-assisted tools. The core content, theological insights, and personal reflections remain my original work.
Disclaimer: The views presented in this blog are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of SATS.