We are in chapter twenty-one of Exodus with our word for today. קָנָה buy, acquire, obtain by purchase, get. It is used 84 times in the Old Testament. We see our word used in the sense of to acquire by means of a financial transaction. Abraham buys land. Genesis 25:10 The field Abraham had קָנָה bought from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. When we see our word used to buy a human being that seems abhorrent to us. Let’s look at how it is used in our chapter. Exodus 21:2 When you תִקְנֶה֙ buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. Before we start judging God for not condemning this outright we have to look at the larger context. We find this idea of man stealing further down in our chapter in verse 16 that is condemned by God in the strongest way. We will look at this word in a few days. So here in verse two even though it is buying a slave it is a volunteer slavery which still sounds bad from our cultural context. Back then it was a form of employment and God is also meeting people where they are at in our sinful fallen world. Also we need to consider how our word is used in describing our relationship with God. Genesis 14:19, 22 Blessed be Abram by God Most High, קֹנֵ֖ה Possessor of heaven and earth… But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, קֹנֵ֖ה Possessor of heaven and earth. God is literally called the one who has purchased or owns everything. This reminds us that the best thing of all is to be owned by God. The New Testament God’s people are identified as slaves of Christ and slaves of righteousness. Ephesians 6:5-6 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 1 Peter 2:16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Romans 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. The alternative is being a slave to sin which leads to death. Romans 6:16 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? I’ll close with this intimate picture of God buying, possessing or creating us. This again emphasizes the wonderful love God shows us being his slaves. Psalm 139:13-14 For you קָנִ֣יתָ created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
