Justice for the Enslaved (Exodus 21:16)

Whoever steals a man and sells him and anyone found in possession of him shall be put to death.
—Exodus 21:16

So this verse comes in the middle of a list of laws that we begin to see at this point in the book of Exodus. The reason I read this one and want to lead us to pray according to it is that, in Exodus 21, we start to see many references to slaves and slavery. There is much we could discuss here that we do not have time to address in just a few minutes of a podcast episode primarily devoted to prayer. However, I do want to point out that whenever we see the word slave or slavery in the Bible, we must carefully consider the context and what that slavery entailed in the Old Testament among God’s people.

Exodus 21:16 reminds us of the horrible reality of modern-day slavery.

Again, we do not have time to explore all the details, but I will simply say that the picture of slavery in the Old Testament—while not ideal and not part of God’s original design, and while a product of the fall—was very different from the picture of slavery in the history of the United States. That system more closely resembled what God clearly condemns in verse 16: “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him.”

This kind of trafficking—stealing and selling people for profit—was clearly and unequivocally forbidden in the Old Testament and reiterated in the New Testament. It directly violates the command in Exodus 20: “You shall not steal.” This includes all forms of theft—and all the more so, the theft of people.

I read this in light of the reality that the stealing and selling of people is still happening today. It is not merely a tragic reality of the past. It was horrible then, and it remains horrible now—that children, girls and boys, are stolen from their homes and sold in various ways. This occurs in many places around the world, including the United States. I think of multiple stories of people I know who have experienced this kind of horror.

Exodus 21:16 encourages us to pray for mercy, justice, and freedom for those captive in modern slavery.

So I want to lead us to pray in light of Matthew 6, where Jesus teaches us to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

God, we pray now, in light of Exodus 21, for your justice to come. We pray for an end to slavery and trafficking of every kind, especially the trafficking of children, in every place where it exists.

Lord, we pray for the rescue of those who have been stolen and sold. We pray for the success of those working to combat trafficking—for ministries engaged in this work and for law enforcement officials seeking to stop it.

We pray for traffickers. Stop them. Bring them to repentance. Turn them from their sin. Save them from their sin. And if they refuse to repent, judge them and bring their evil to an end.

Ask God to put an end to slavery.

We pray for an end to the stealing and selling of people. As we consider how this has marked history and how it continues even now, we ask: May your kingdom come. May your justice come. May your mercy reign over those who are being trafficked.

We pray for those who are oppressed and enslaved. Bring them physical freedom and, ultimately, spiritual freedom. May they know your love. You are the defender of the weak. You work on behalf of the oppressed and enslaved. Work on their behalf, we pray. Grant them your grace and mercy.

We pray for those who have endured this evil and who have come to know your love, grace, and mercy—to know freedom in you. Grant continual grace. Bring healing balm to their wounds—the wounds in their lives and relationships.

Oh God, we hate sin and its effects in this world. We hate the stealing and selling of people. We long for your return. Lord Jesus, come quickly. Bring an end to this evil, and help us to work toward that end—to labor for justice and freedom for those who are enslaved.

We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.