Exodus 21:3
If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 21:3?

2. How does Exodus 21:3 reflect God's justice in servitude laws?

3. What does "if he came alone" teach about personal responsibility?

4. How can Exodus 21:3 guide Christians in modern employment practices?

5. How does Exodus 21:3 connect to Jesus' teachings on servanthood?

6. What principles from Exodus 21:3 apply to maintaining family unity today?

7. How does Exodus 21:3 reflect the cultural context of ancient Israelite society?

8. What does Exodus 21:3 reveal about the value of individual freedom in biblical times?

9. How should modern Christians interpret the laws in Exodus 21:3?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 21?

11. Who was Zipporah in the Bible?

12. What is the Bible's stance on oral sex?

13. Who was Jael and what did she do?

14. The Old Testament allows slavery (Exodus 21:2-11); why would a moral God condone it?
Discussion Questions
1. How does the law in Exodus 21:3 reflect God's character and His concern for justice and family?

2. In what ways can the principles found in Exodus 21:3 be applied to modern employment practices and relationships?

3. How does the concept of servitude in ancient Israel differ from modern understandings of slavery, and what can we learn from this distinction?

4. How do the teachings in Deuteronomy 15 and Leviticus 25 expand our understanding of the release of servants and the Year of Jubilee?

5. How can the principles of unity and respect in marriage, as seen in Exodus 21:3, be applied to strengthen Christian marriages today?1. What does the principle of releasing a Hebrew servant in the seventh year teach us about God's view of freedom?

2. How might the practice of a servant choosing to serve their master for life relate to our commitment to God?

3. How can we understand the seemingly harsh laws about treating servants in the context of the ancient Near East?

4. What insights can we gain about God's view of women from the laws concerning female servants?

5. What can the punishment for striking or cursing parents teach us about God's value of family relationships?

6. How does the "eye for an eye" principle balance justice with mercy?

7. What do the laws regarding accidental and premeditated murder teach us about intent in our actions?

8. How do the laws concerning property ownership and liability speak to our responsibility for our actions and possessions?

9. How can we apply the principle of compensation for injury or loss in our relationships today?

10. In what ways might the ordinances about treating servants challenge our understanding of fairness and justice?

11. Why do you think God included specific laws about damage caused by livestock?

12. What implications might the laws regarding pits and uncovered hazards have on our responsibility for public safety today?

13. How does the "ox for ox" compensation rule reflect fairness in dealing with property damage?

14. How might the laws regarding capital punishment for crimes like murder and kidnapping be understood in today's legal context?

15. What principles can we draw from these laws that might guide our conduct and interactions with others today?

16. How can the law regarding the striking of a pregnant woman and the subsequent premature birth inform our views on the sanctity of life?

17. How does the principle of the master's liability for the actions of his livestock translate into today's context of responsibility?

18. Why do you think God included such specific laws for societal living among the Israelites?

19. How can we reconcile the harsher laws in this chapter with our understanding of God's love and mercy?

20. How might the laws in this passage be relevant in shaping the ethics of a Christian today?

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