You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you.
God's people must not be held in perpetual slavery; thus are His spiritual Israel called unto liberty. When released, masters must furnish them with stock to begin again, for they leave with nothing of their own. A servant who chooses to stay for life gets reputation among some as quiet and contented, among others as one without due sense of freedom's honor.
AI summary
Commenting on Deuteronomy 15:12-18
Thou shalt furnish him liberally,.... Not only to supply his present wants, but for his future use, and to set him up in the world: "loading thou shall load him" (h), so some render the words; give him as much as he can carry, and well stand up under; the word used has the signification of chains wore about the neck for honour or ornament...
Debtors sold into slavery when their property could not cover debt faced a six-year limit, no longer. They gained freedom either after six years or at the jubilee, whichever came first, even if their full term had not expired.
AI summary
Commenting on Deuteronomy 15:12-19