39 'And when thy brother becometh poor with thee, and he hath been sold to thee, thou dost not lay on him servile service; 40 as an hireling, as a settler, he is with thee, till the year of the jubilee he doth serve with thee,— 41 then he hath gone out from thee, he and his sons with him, and hath turned back unto his family; even unto the possession of his fathers he doth turn back. 42 'For they 'are' My servants, whom I have brought out from the land of Egypt: they are not sold 'with' the sale of a servant;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 25:39-42
Commentary on Leviticus 25:39-55
(Read Leviticus 25:39-55)
A native Israelite, if sold for debt, or for a crime, was to serve but six years, and to go out the seventh. If he sold himself, through poverty, both his work and his usage must be such as were fitting for a son of Abraham. Masters are required to give to their servants that which is just and equal, John 8:32. We cannot ransom our fellow-sinners, but we may point out Christ to them; while by his grace our lives may adorn his gospel, express our love, show our gratitude, and glorify his holy name.