When Scripture Feels Uncomfortable
When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. – Exodus 21:2
We’ve all come across passages in the Bible that make us squirm a little—or even a lot. Exodus 21:2, for example, talks about buying a Hebrew slave. That sounds more like an injustice than inspired Scripture, right? But before we close the Bible and walk away, we need to ask: are we interpreting this through our lens, or through the lens of its original hearers?
This passage is not an endorsement of modern slavery. In fact, what we translate as “slave” is often better understood as a kind of indentured servitude—someone working off debt or surviving an economic collapse. The person was not property to be abused but someone under specific legal protection. Exodus 21:2 sets a time limit on service and guarantees freedom in the seventh year. In the ancient Near Eastern world, where slavery often meant lifelong oppression with no rights, this was revolutionary. God was placing limits on a cultural practice and humanizing those caught within it.
So what do we do when Scripture feels uncomfortable? We dig deeper. We study context. We ask what this revealed about God's heart to those first hearing it. And we remember that God often works within broken systems—not because He approves of them, but because He’s beginning the work of transformation right in the middle of them.
When Scripture offends modern ears, it may actually be an invitation to discover a God who doesn't sanitize history but steps into its darkest corners with mercy, justice, and patience. Let your discomfort be a doorway, not a dead end.
Reflection Question
How might your perspective on hard Bible passages shift if you believed God was working redemptively in the midst of broken systems rather than endorsing them?
When Scripture offends modern ears, it may actually be an invitation to discover a God who doesn't sanitize history but steps into its darkest corners with mercy, justice, and patience.
Prayer
God, help me to trust that even in the difficult parts of Your Word, You are revealing Your heart. Give me a deeper hunger to understand context, history, and purpose. Let discomfort lead me to discovery. Amen.
We’ve all come across passages in the Bible that make us squirm a little—or even a lot. Exodus 21:2, for example, talks about buying a Hebrew slave. That sounds more like an injustice than inspired Scripture, right? But before we close the Bible and walk away, we need to ask: are we interpreting this through our lens, or through the lens of its original hearers?
This passage is not an endorsement of modern slavery. In fact, what we translate as “slave” is often better understood as a kind of indentured servitude—someone working off debt or surviving an economic collapse. The person was not property to be abused but someone under specific legal protection. Exodus 21:2 sets a time limit on service and guarantees freedom in the seventh year. In the ancient Near Eastern world, where slavery often meant lifelong oppression with no rights, this was revolutionary. God was placing limits on a cultural practice and humanizing those caught within it.
So what do we do when Scripture feels uncomfortable? We dig deeper. We study context. We ask what this revealed about God's heart to those first hearing it. And we remember that God often works within broken systems—not because He approves of them, but because He’s beginning the work of transformation right in the middle of them.
When Scripture offends modern ears, it may actually be an invitation to discover a God who doesn't sanitize history but steps into its darkest corners with mercy, justice, and patience. Let your discomfort be a doorway, not a dead end.
Reflection Question
How might your perspective on hard Bible passages shift if you believed God was working redemptively in the midst of broken systems rather than endorsing them?
When Scripture offends modern ears, it may actually be an invitation to discover a God who doesn't sanitize history but steps into its darkest corners with mercy, justice, and patience.
Prayer
God, help me to trust that even in the difficult parts of Your Word, You are revealing Your heart. Give me a deeper hunger to understand context, history, and purpose. Let discomfort lead me to discovery. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2025
March
The Way to TruthLiving Water in a Thirsty WorldThe Narrow PathKnown by GodEternal Life Starts NowThe Relentless Pursuit of LoveFaith in ActionGoing Where Others Won’tJesus Changes EverythingOvercoming Fear to ShineMaking Heaven CrowdedReflecting His LightSalt of the EarthLetting Your Light ShineFueling Your LightShining TogetherThe Call to Surrender
April
The Paradox of DiscipleshipFrom Fan to FollowerThe Cross We CarryThe Joy of Full SurrenderThe Fruit of SurrenderThe Perfect PlanThe Root of Our ProblemThe Perfect SacrificeFreedom PurchasedLiving in VictorySent with PurposeThe True Cost of LoveFrom Darkness to LightBreaking Down BarriersVictory, Not VictimhoodLiving in FreedomThe Invitation Still StandsThe Stone Was Already MovedBreaking Free from the GraveyardGrace Before PerformanceMeeting Jesus in the HurtStepping into BeliefFrom Doubt to DeclarationThe Daily InvitationLetting Go of the OldWalking in New Power
May
Breaking Free from the Chains of ShameStepping Boldly into New LifeLiving the Resurrection DailySelf-Reliance to SurrenderDaily Steps of FaithTrading Comfort for ClarityThe Beauty of Faithful ObediencePurpose in the WaitingOur First Response, Not Last ResortThe Heart Behind the PrayerTrusting in the UnknownTrusting Beyond Our UnderstandingThe Generous FatherGod's Will Is a Relationship, Not a PuzzleLiving with Renewed PurposeDaily Bread, Not Emergency MedicineWalking in the LightFrom Hearing to ObeyingThe Word in Our Darkest MomentsHolding Hands with JesusAnchored by Truth in a Drifting WorldThe Purpose in the PauseDiscipled by Speed, Developed by WaitingDivine Redirection, Not RejectionFaith Forged in the FurnaceThe Divine Appointment in DelayStrength for the Stretch
June
When Fear Meets FaithThe Promise of God's PresenceReleasing the Grip of ControlBringing Fear into the LightHeld by Nail-Scarred HandsCourage for the Next StepFinding RestThe Freedom of HonestyWho’s Really Leading Your Life?Rest Looks Like Being With HimRedefining Rest, Redefining WorthLiving From RestDesigned for JoyThe Purpose in PainCollapsing into ChristThe Journey of HealingHope Has a NameGod is Still WritingUnderstanding Holy AngerThe Danger of Lingering AngerFinding Peace in SurrenderThe Power of ConfessionThe Path to FreedomFrom Anger to RedemptionThe God Who Steps In
No Comments