“Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant forever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.”
Context and Background: The book of Deuteronomy is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, and it contains the speeches of Moses to the Israelites just before they entered the Promised Land. Deuteronomy covers various laws and regulations that were given to the Israelites by God. In chapter 15, God provides instructions regarding the release of Hebrew slaves.
The Practice of Piercing the Ear: Deuteronomy 15:17 introduces the practice of piercing the ear of a servant who willingly chooses to remain with his master after the release period. This act signifies the servant’s permanent dedication and loyalty to the master.
Symbolism and Spiritual Meaning:
- Willing Servitude: The pierced ear symbolizes the servant’s voluntary decision to serve the master out of love, gratitude, and devotion. It represents a commitment to a life-long relationship with the master, indicating a desire to remain in the master’s service willingly and joyfully.
- Mark of Ownership: The pierced ear also serves as a mark of ownership. Just as livestock were marked with an identification symbol, the pierced ear signified that the servant belonged to the master. It indicates that the servant has chosen to surrender their will and be under the authority of the master.
- Foreshadowing Christ: This practice holds a spiritual parallel to Jesus Christ, who willingly became a servant to humanity. Jesus, as the Son of God, took on the form of a servant, surrendering His will to the Father and becoming obedient to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-8). In a similar way, believers are called to be willing servants of Christ, submitting their lives to Him.
Application for Believers Today:
- Willingness to Serve: As followers of Christ, we are called to serve Him with a willing heart. Just as the servant willingly committed to a life of service, we should willingly offer our lives to serve God and others, motivated by love and gratitude for what Christ has done for us.
- Surrender and Obedience: The pierced ear symbolizes surrender and obedience. It reminds us to surrender our will to God, submitting to His authority and following His commands. It reflects a heart that says, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
- Permanence in Service: The servant’s commitment to lifelong service teaches us about the importance of endurance and faithfulness in our service to God. Our dedication to serving God should not be temporary or based on circumstances but should endure throughout our lives.
- Identification with Christ: The pierced ear also serves as a reminder of our identity as belonging to Christ. We are called to bear the mark of ownership, acknowledging that we are not our own but have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). It signifies our allegiance to Him and our willingness to be identified as His followers.
In summary, Deuteronomy 15:17 highlights the practice of piercing the ear as a symbol of a servant’s permanent dedication and loyalty. It reminds us of our call to willingly serve God, surrender our will, and identify ourselves as His devoted followers. It also points to the example of Christ, who humbly served and calls us to do the same.
