Pierced for Life

Meet Joel and Rebecca

Joel was born into a farming family like everyone else that he knew in Israel. He was a Benjaminite and his small farm rested on the rocky slope between Israel’s Central Mountains and the Jordan river. He was young, his attractive wife, Rebecca, was 2 years younger, and his children were healthy but too young to be of help on the farm.

Joel never felt comfortable with the farming life. It is true that his father, his grandfather, and all the way back to Jacob had been farmers, but he wasn’t really cut out for that type of life. As a result, he struggled. On top of that, his farm was far enough from the more fertile Jordan river so the soil produced more of the lesser barley crop than the richer money crop of wheat. His sheep and goat herds were reproducing at a rate less than his neighbors. Maybe if he were a better shepherd, he would recognize the problem but to this point he hadn’t. Between the losses from low crop yields, stagnate growth of the flock, and the last 2 years of unpredictable rains he had to face the reality that he could no longer support his family with the farm.

Further down into the Jordan valley was the large farm of Amos. Amos was born for the life of farming and livestock. His fields always seemed to yield abundant crops and his flocks were filled with lambs that would quickly provide wool, meat, and sacrifices. Joel realized that he had no choice but to go to Amos and offer himself and his wife as servants to Amos. There were no other options, and although the 6 years might seem long, his toddler boys would be strong enough by that time to help him cultivate the soil and tend the flocks when his servant status would end for Amos.

One year turned into two and quickly the years flew by. Joel and Rebecca had done very well as servants to Amos. Amos was a kind and honest man, hardworking but fair. Joel remembered the struggle with his own farm and realized that being a servant for Amos was actually better than trying to run his own farm. In addition, Joel had developed a friendship with Amos that he truly appreciated and valued.

One day, Joel talked to Rebecca about becoming bondservants for Amos. It was true that they would have to forfeit the old family plot, but it was full of rocks and arid. There was no guarantee that even now he could make it work. Working for Amos had given their family more freedom than they had ever had. They laughed together, sang together, celebrated the feasts together, and the kids all played together on Amos’ farm. So, it was decided, both Joel and Rebecca would request to become bondservants for the remainder of their lives. The simple act of ear piercing to show the contract that they were willing to make to Amos and his family was insignificant.

The Privilege of Serving Christ

That fictional story that I made up is based on the truth of what it was to be a Hebrew bondservant in Old Testament times. However, we will see this morning how it echoes into the New Testament and into our lives as Christians. Paul wrote this to the converts in Corinth…

1 Corinthians 7:22 NIV

For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.

Paul is addressing Corinthians who were slaves in that society, but he points out that although their social circumstance is as a servant, they are spiritually free. At the same time, he points out that those who society calls ‘free’ become Christ’s servants when they embrace Jesus as the Lord of their lives.

Our little story about Joel and Rebecca points out the practicality of becoming a bondservant for the good master, Amos. As Christians, we have the perfect Master, Jesus Christ, and the very best position that we could ever put ourselves in would be the position of the bond servant.

What Did Joel and Rebecca Realize?

Historical Perspective

Although Joel and Rebecca in my story are fictional characters. This was a reality for men and women of that time. There were no social programs and governmental support for people who fell on hard times. Both the remedy and the compassion were written into the Law of God. Let’s take a look:

Deuteronomy 15:12–17 NIV

If any of your people—Hebrew men or women—sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free. And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed. Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the Lord your God has blessed you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today. But if your servant says to you, “I do not want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, then take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your female servant.

The Lord had previously made it clear that six full years of a person’s life were enough to make up for defaulting on a loan (cf. Ex. 21:2). However, in Deuteronomy Moses added that the employer must do more than free the servant; he must also supply him liberally with livestock, grain, and wine in accord with the way the Lord had blessed him. After six years the servant would have little or nothing, so to send him away empty-handed would have jeopardized his freedom all over again.[1]

Joel and Rebecca decided to become bondservants to Amos which meant being servants for their lifetimes. D.K. Stuart says the process went something like this:

… boss and servant went to the tabernacle (later temple) and swore before the priests (who served as witnesses) while at the same time understanding that they were, far more importantly, swearing before God (who served as the ultimate witness to any oath) that they both wanted to enter into a permanent employment arrangement. Then the boss bored a hole in the servant’s ear, probably in the earlobe, which became a visible sign of permanent commitment to service. This prevented a servant from sneaking away from his boss, relocating elsewhere, and entering into a service contract with someone else. It also provided a permanent reminder to a boss that he had an obligation to employ the servant for life and could not renege on that obligation.110 In the same way that the transfer of a shoe in the sight of witnesses reminded everyone involved of a contractual obligation related to the exchange of property (Ruth 4:7), making a hole in an ear served as a vivid event designed to help the recall, years later, of the contract made for permanent service. The use of the awl and doorpost was simply a way of ensuring a convenient and relatively painless public setting and means of boring the hole.[2]

Of course, for Joel and Rebecca’s family, they realized that they were better off in the service of Amos than they were on their own. This is an amazing example of the relationship that we have with Christ. He brings us out of the barrenness of this world, gives us the fruits of the Spirit, and, most importantly, gives us true freedom!

Joel and Rebecca Realized that as Bondservants They Enjoyed the Riches of Amos’s Farm

The Bible never promises that we will become rich according to the measurement of this world. However, it does tell us that we are rich in grace, mercy, and in His glory.

Ephesians 2:3–5 NIV

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Without Christ, we were scraping out an existence just like Joel and Rebecca but we were not living for the purposes that God had created us. It is only in Christ that we begin to realize the full potential for which we had been created – to love God and love others. This loving others will manifest in service to God and others just like Joel and Rebecca worked on the farm for Amos.

Ephesians 2:6–7 NIV

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Joel and Rebecca had realized that Amos was hard-working, but he was also kind. As bondservants of Christ, we realize His kindness to us. Often, we don’t realize the kindness of God that comes from His unending love. Perhaps if we changed the way we think about God we would be radically changed. Excellent service is motivated by a response to love. I would much rather enjoy a meal prepared lovingly than a meal prepared dutifully. There is a big difference. There is a big difference between a burger thrown on the grill and one of Jimmy’s slow heat and smoked ribs. Love triggers excellence.

Joel and Rebecca also realized that they benefitted from the reputation of Amos. Being a part of Amos’s farm brought credibility and being a bondservant of Amos gave them additional respect in the community. When the Bible talks about the ‘glory’ of God, I like to think about it as the bigger reputation of God. It is like all the shock waves, rays of light, and positive thoughts about Him.

Ephesians 1:18 NIV

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Joel and Rebecca Were Relieved to Be Bondservants

I knew a staff-sergeant in the Army who jokingly said that when he got off of active duty that he wanted to get hamburger flipping jobs at McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy’s. Then he wanted to go to each employer and quit. Of course, he was referencing the fact that as staff sergeant he shouldered quite a bit of responsibility. We call them the ‘backbone of the Army’. Being in uniform he couldn’t quit but he felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

I can’t imagine doing life without serving Christ. I would feel like I have no direction. My motivations would be selfish. I would have no eternal perspective. I would have no anchor in my life when the storms came. Surrendering to Christ brings meaning and purpose to my life….AND all the pressures fall off. Listen to what we gain in this passage:

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Joel and Rebecca were willing to give up the stress of managing a failing farm to have Amos take all that on. Instead, they found joy, peace, love, and much more!

Joel and Rebecca Found Freedom as Bondservants

The Bible tells us that we are going to serve either God or sin. There is no other alternative.

Romans 6:16–18 NIV

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Serving God is where we find freedom.

Living free is God’s plan for us

Galatians 5:13–14 NIV

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Notice that freedom is more than an option; it is a way of life to which we are called. We must never accept an enslaved life as our inevitable life because God’s plan is for us to experience an expanded life.

Living free (in liberty) is synonymous with following God’s precepts

Freedom does not come as a result of doing whatever you want. In fact, selfishness is like digging a tunnel for yourself. It is eventually your grave. Freedom comes from doing the things that you were created for..

John 8:31–32 NIV

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Living free is full of purpose

That’s what Paul was trying to teach the Galatian believers when he said, “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows” (Galatians 5:13, The Message).

Rick Warren – “It’s not about you” begins his book, The Purpose Driven Life.

Who are You Serving?

Joel and Rebecca have been great examples of how we can find life instead of death, enjoy the fruits of the Spirit, and walk in real freedom. But we have to remember how they did it – by willfully becoming servants. This begins with a commitment to Jesus Christ. His precepts will teach you how to love your husbands and wives, your children, and others. They will show you how you are loved by your Heavenly Father. In addition, you will find opportunities to serve others, using the gifts and talents that God has given you.

In the Psalms I found this thought

Psalm 40:6–8 NIV

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

Is the phrase “my ears you have opened” about listening or surrendering? I’m not sure but some Bible teachers say it is a reference to the same act that Joel and Rebecca did – press the earlobe against the frame of the door and pierce it for Christ. Pierced for life. Are yours? Would you like them to be? Right now.

[1] Deere, J. S. (1985). Deuteronomy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 291). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[2] Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2, p. 481). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.