Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
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
Then thou shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door,.... Not of his master's house, but of the sanhedrim, or court of judicature, according to the Targum of Jonathan, before whom he was to be brought, and declare his desire to continue with his master; See Gill on Exo 21:6, and he shall be thy servant for ever; that is...
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