Deuteronomy 15:16-17

“But if your servant says to you, “I do not want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your maidservant.”

The work of redemption was typified, not only by stated proclamations of liberty every fiftieth year, which was called the year of jubilee—but also by provision that all Hebrew servants, for whatever cause they had become bond-men, should be liberated from their bondage after the expiration of six years. But it would sometimes happen that a person might be so well pleased with his situation as not to wish to leave it, but to prefer it before that to which he was entitled. For such cases particular provision was made by God himself; and a very singular rite was appointed for the ratification of his purpose; on declaring before a magistrate that he chose to continue his master’s bond-servant, his master was to bore his ear through with an awl to the door or door-post; and the servant could never afterwards claim his liberty until the year of jubilee.

We should not have ventured to annex any great importance to this ordinance, if the inspired writers themselves had not led the way. But we apprehend that they refer to it as a type; and in that view we conceive it deserves peculiar attention. We shall endeavor therefore to point out to you,

I. Its typical reference.

It is well known that our Savior, as Mediator between God and man, was the Father’s servant, Isaiah 42:1; John 12:49; in this capacity he set himself wholly to do the Father’s will, John 4:34; and never for one moment admitted so much as a thought of relinquishing his service, until he could say, “I have finished the work which you have given me to do.”

Let us briefly notice this at the different periods of his humiliation.

At his incarnation. When the fullness of time was come, and the season had arrived when he must assume our fallen nature in order to execute the work assigned to him, though he must empty himself of all his glory, and leave his Father’s bosom, and “make himself of no reputation, and take upon him the form of a servant,” and be “made in the likeness of sinful flesh,” and bear all the infirmities (the sinless infirmities) of our nature, he would not go back from the engagements which he had entered into with his Father, but condescended to he born of a virgin, and to become bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. He loved the work he had undertaken; he delighted in the prospect of glorifying his Father, and saving our ruined race; and accounted no condescension too great for the accomplishing of this stupendous purpose.

At the time of his sufferings and death, he still persisted in his resolution to do and suffer all that was necessary for our redemption. He often forewarned his disciples of the precise sufferings which he was to endure; and when one of the most highly favored among them endeavored to dissuade him from his purpose, he reproved him with great severity, Matthew 16:21-23, determining never to recede until he had completed the work which he had engaged to perform.

When, under the pressure of inconceivable agonies, his human nature began, as it were, to fail, he still maintained his steadfastness, “Not my will, but may yours be done.” Had it pleased him, even when apprehended by his enemies, or hanging on the cross, to terminate his sufferings before the time, he might have had legions of angels sent for his deliverance, Matthew 26:53-54; but he would not allow the cup to pass from him until he had drunk it to the lowest dregs.

All this, it may be said, is very true; but what relation has it to the point before us? We answer, that this steadfastness of his in performing engagements, which without any necessity on his part he had undertaken, was the very thing typified in the ordinance we are now considering.

The Psalmist expressly speaking of Christ’s appointment to make that atonement for sin which the Mosaic sacrifices only prefigured, says, (in allusion to the ordinance before us,) that God the Father had “opened, or bored, the ears” of his servant, Psalm 40:6-8. And Paul, citing that very passage, quotes it, not in the same precise words, but according to their true meaning, “Sacrifice and burnt-offering you did not desire; but a body have you prepared for me, Hebrews 10:5-7.”

Moreover both the inspired writers go on to mark in the strongest terms the determination of heart with which the Messiah should fulfill, and actually did fulfill, the inconceivably arduous task which he had undertaken. Note the varied expressions, “Lo, I come; I delight to do your will, O my God; yes, your law is within my heart.” These, applied as they are to the whole of the Messiah’s humiliation, (Hebrews 10:8-10) mark strongly his determination as grounded upon love.

Trusting that we have not been guided by fancy in our interpretation of this type, let us inquire into,

II. The practical instruction to be deduced from it.

As a civil ordinance, it seems to have been well calculated to instill into the minds both of masters and servants a strict attention to each other’s happiness and welfare, so that neither of them might ever wish for a dissolution of their mutual bonds. (And O! that our present consideration of it might be so improved by all who sustain either of those relations!) But, as a typical ordinance, it must, in its practical improvement, have a wider range.

Our blessed Lord has not only redeemed us to God by his blood, but has also “set an example for us, that we should follow in his steps.” Hence it is evident that we should:

1. Love the service of our God.

We should not account any of “his commandments grievous,” or say concerning any precept of his, “This is a hard saying.” He himself has told us that “his yoke is easy, and his burden is light;” and we acknowledge that his service to be perfect freedom. Such was the language of David, “O how I love your law!” “I esteem your commandments concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Let it “not then be of constraint that you serve him, but willingly and of a ready mind.” And if you foresee difficulties and trials in your way, be not ashamed; but give up yourself unreservedly to God, and adopt the language of the Messiah himself, “Lo, I come; I delight to do your will, O my God; yes, your law is within my heart!”

2. Adhere to it steadfastly to the last hour of your life.

Many reasons might have operated on the mind of a servant to prevent him from perpetuating his bondage. He might fear an alteration in the behavior of his master, and comfort himself with the idea of liberty.

In like manner we may paint to ourselves many trials that may be avoided, and many gratifications that maybe enjoyed, by declining the service of God. But let no considerations operate upon your minds; you shall lose no gratification that shall not be far overbalanced by the comfort of a good conscience; nor suffer any trial, which shall not be recompensed with a proportionable weight of glory in a better world.

You are not likely to lose more than Paul; yet he says, “Whatever was gain to me, that I counted loss for Christ; yes doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of him.” You are not likely to suffer more than he, yet he says:

“But none of these things move me; neither do I count my life dear unto myself.”

Thus let it be with you, “Be not weary in well-doing;” but “cleave unto the Lord with full purpose of heart.”

“Be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in his work.”

“Be faithful unto death, and he shall give you a crown of life!”

Address,

1. Those who have already declined from the Lord’s ways.

I ask not what sufferings you have avoided, or what pleasures you have gained. This only will I ask: Are you as happy as you were? I am content to put the whole to the issue; and to abide by the decision of your own conscience. I know that though a conscience may be seared, a soul cannot be happy that departs from God. O think what a Master you have slighted; and say, “I will return unto my first husband, for then it was better with me than now.”

2. Those who are doubting whether to devote themselves to God or not.

Many there are who, seeing the necessity of serving God, are contriving how they may do it with the least risk or trouble to themselves. They are thinking to “serve both God and Mammon.” But this is impossible, because the two services are opposite and inconsistent.

Let us not however be misunderstood. We may, and must, fulfill our duties in the world, yes, and fulfill them diligently too; but God alone must be our Lord and Governor. He will not accept such a measure of our affection and service as the world will deign to allow him; but says, “My son, give me your heart,” your whole heart. Every interest of ours, and every wish, must be subordinated to his will. Determine this then with yourselves, that you will be his, wholly and forever. Let your ears be bored to his door-post; and let, not your actions merely, but your very thoughts, be henceforth kept in a willing captivity to him. “If Baal is God, serve him; but if the Lord is God, then serve him!”

3. Those who profess themselves his willing and devoted servants.

Show to the world that his service is a reasonable and a delightful service. Let not the difference between you and others be found merely in some foolish peculiarities, but in a holy, heavenly life. And be not mournful and dejected, as if God were a hard master; but “serve him with gladness and joyfulness of heart,” that all around you may see the comforts of true religion, and know, from what they behold in you, that the Church militant and Church triumphant are one; one in occupation, and one in joy.

Charles Simeon (1759-1836)