5 "But if the servant declares, 'I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,'
5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
5 But if the slave plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,'
5 But suppose the slave should say, 'I love my master and my wife and children - I don't want my freedom,'
5 But if the servant plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,'
5 But the slave may declare, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children. I don't want to go free.'
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened:
6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear.
6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you - that's not what you're after. Being religious, acting pious - that's not what you're asking for. You've opened my ears so I can listen.
6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand - you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
(Read Psalm 40:6-10)
The psalmist foretells that work of wonder, redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Substance must come, which is Christ, who must bring that glory to God, and that grace to man, which it was impossible the sacrifices should ever do. Observe the setting apart of our Lord Jesus to the work and office of Mediator. In the volume, or roll, of the book it was written of him. In the close rolls of the Divine decrees and counsel, the covenant of redemption was recorded. Also, in all the volumes of the Old Testament something was written of him, John 19:28. Now the purchase of our salvation is made, the proclamation is sent forth, calling us to come and accept it. It was preached freely and openly. Whoever undertook to preach the gospel of Christ, would be under great temptation to conceal it; but Christ, and those he calls to that work, are carried on in it. May we believe his testimony, trust his promise, and submit to his authority.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 21:5
Commentary on Exodus 21:1-11
(Read Exodus 21:1-11)
The laws in this chapter relate to the fifth and sixth commandments; and though they differ from our times and customs, nor are they binding on us, yet they explain the moral law, and the rules of natural justice. The servant, in the state of servitude, was an emblem of that state of bondage to sin, Satan, and the law, which man is brought into by robbing God of his glory, by the transgression of his precepts. Likewise in being made free, he was an emblem of that liberty wherewith Christ, the Son of God, makes free from bondage his people, who are free indeed; and made so freely, without money and without price, of free grace.