Deuteronomy chapter 15

vs 12

So no-one should be forced to live in slavery more than 7 years, no matter what their situation. It is interesting that this goes for women too. Quite equal for 1500BC.

vs 13

As you would normally for a slave - I mean, it's not like you owe them anything beyond what you have provided them already.

vs 14

Basically, you're being asked to set them up with a little start-up fund. Flocks are wealth. Giving someone a goat is a big deal. It's like handing them a dot com startup.

vs 15

Remembering their past, what God saved them from, is very important. And that memory is not just meant to be something that is thought about fondly, or abstractly. It's supposed to change how they might otherwise live. This principle could possibly have been of some use to the new Israel post-WWII...

vs 16

Like I said, no-one is forced to be a slave. The simple fact that this verse is here should show that slavery was not always a terrible thing. Some people found fulfilment and satisfaction in their work with a family.

vs 17

It's not a punishment. It's just a marking. Piercings were originally used to mark slaves. Which is why it's so funny that they're used now as non-conformist bling.

vs 18

Because obviously Jews work harder... No, it's probably true that a slave is worth twice what a hired hand is. After all, you can get them to do pretty much anything.

vs 19

Basically, you are raising white elephants. They are useless to you - well, more to the point, you're not allowed to use them. Because they are not yours. Since they are God's, they must be kept pure.

vs 20

So these are the animals to be eaten at the feasts celebrated in their certain spot. Even just having them there, sitting around acting all special, is a reminder of God's specialness.

vs 21

So firstborn is not cancelled by defective.

vs 22

You can still eat things with flaws. Here again is this idea of eating ceremonially unclean animals. Perhaps this is what the term is referring to - animals that are edible but which are defective and hence can't be sacrificed? Possible. I mean, you do end up eating the sacrificed animals too.

vs 23

The typical Jewish thing, repeated once more.