Why Did God Allow Slavery in the Old Testament and Barely Says Anything About It in the New Testament?
1) Direct answer
God never endorsed cruel, man-stealing slavery. In the Old Testament He stepped into a fallen world and put strict limits, mercy, and release into a system already present, pointing Israel toward redemption and brotherly love. In the New Testament He went to the root—changing the heart by the new birth—so the gospel dissolves slavery from the inside by making master and slave brothers in Christ. The Scriptures address it, but the aim is salvation and holy conduct, not political revolt.
2) Scriptural explanation
- God forbids man‑stealing and trafficking:
- “He that stealeth a man…shall surely be put to death” (Exodus 21:16; cf. 1 Timothy 1:10).
- Israel’s servitude was tightly regulated and tempered with mercy:
- Release for Hebrew servants in the seventh year with generosity (Exodus 21:2; Deuteronomy 15:12-15).
- “You shall not rule over him with rigor; but shall fear your God” (Leviticus 25:43).
- Protection for the vulnerable and the stranger; do not oppress, love him as yourself (Leviticus 19:33-34; Deuteronomy 10:19).
- An escaped slave was not to be returned or oppressed (Deuteronomy 23:15-16).
- When Israel refused to release servants, God rebuked and judged them (Jeremiah 34:13-17).
- God’s purpose was redemption, not bondage:
- Israel was redeemed from Egypt’s slavery (Exodus 20:2), and God says, “They are my servants…you shall not rule over him with rigor” (Leviticus 25:42-43).
- The New Testament plants the freedom principle in Christ:
- “There is neither bond nor free…all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
- If you can be made free, rather use it (1 Corinthians 7:21-22).
- Masters must give what is just and equal, knowing they have a Master in heaven (Colossians 4:1; Ephesians 6:9).
- A slave is received “no longer as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved” (Philemon 15-16).
- The Lord’s program is liberty: “He hath sent me to preach deliverance to the captives” (Luke 4:18). “If the Son…make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
3) Simple clarifying logic
- Now notice: God met people where they were, in a hard world, and fenced in the existing system with justice, time limits, generosity, and protection. That is not approval of oppression; it is restraint and guidance toward mercy.
- You see, the law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). As with divorce, certain concessions existed “because of the hardness of your hearts,” but from the beginning it was not so. God’s heart is redemption and brotherhood.
- In the New Testament, the Church does not wield the sword of the state; it wields the Word and the Spirit. So the Lord dealt with the root—sin in the heart. When a master and a servant are both born again, fear and force give way to love and equality in Christ. You cannot rightly enslave the one you now recognize as your brother for whom Christ died.
- If God approved of cruel slavery, why is man‑stealing a capital crime (Exodus 21:16)? Why command love to the stranger (Leviticus 19:34)? Why require release and generosity (Deuteronomy 15:13-15)? The answer is clear: God was moving His people from bondage to freedom, both naturally and spiritually.
4) Reinforcing statement
The Old Testament restrained a fallen practice; the New Testament removes its roots. The gospel sets men free—first in the soul, then in their relations—until love fulfills the law.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
Hebrews, Chapter 1
57-0821 §11
Now, the woman represented the church, and the child that she brought forth was Christ. The moon under her feet was the law, the sun at her head was grace. Twelve stars in her crown was the twelve apostles. And there's where... The twelve apostles was the glory or the crowning of the New Testament, see. "For no other foundation can be laid than that which is already laid," see. The foundation, the New Testament, the apostles, the doctrine of the apostles and so forth, is the founding crown of the New Testament. And...
Questions and Answers on Genesis
53-0729 §60
Now let me show you. What does the word Sabbath mean? Anybody know, will just raise your hand? Sabbath? [A sister says, "Rest."] Rest. Exactly. S-a-b-b-a-t-h, Sabbath day, means "r-e-s-t, rest day." Get your marginal reading in the Bible and look---"Rest" day." Now, let's go to Hebrews, the 4th chapter, right quick now. And we'll... This is my last question right here. And see if Brother Neville has got them there. I know a couple of them is short ones, so we won't keep you too much longer. Now, excuse me till I go...
Church Ages, part 3: The Ephesian Church Age
60-1205 §19
Now. Then the Bible reveals Him here, that He is the almighty God, flesh among us, see. No Father, Son, Holy Ghost. It's not three gods, or one God chopped in three places. It's one God that worked in three offices: the Fatherhood, Sonship, and the Holy Ghost; God condescending from the garden of Eden, trying to make his way back into human hearts to live, and be sons and daughters of God again with Him. God above us, God with us, God in us. That's the difference, see. And now those things... And the Bible reveals...
Where is He, King of the Jews?
58-1221M §87
Then if Jesus lives, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and if you have a need of any thing, the Scripture says... Now, not the Old Testament; the New Testament! The New Testament, the book of Hebrews, said, "Jesus Christ is a High Priest right now." Anyone knows what a high priest is? "A High Priest that can be touched by the feeling of our infirmities." A high priest is to make intercessions in the presence of God. Jesus stands as a High Priest, to make intercessions, and He can be touched with the...
God keeps His Word
57-0115 §42
And then he said... He got on talking like that. He said, "Jesus was a thief." And I said, " A thief?" He said, "Yes, sir. Your Scripture, what you call the New Testament, said He went through the corn fields on the Sabbath day, and stole corn, and give it to His disciples, wasn't even legal." Said, "You know that." And said, "They're so confused." He said, "He stole corn and give to His disciples and eat it Himself. That makes Him a thief in my way of seeing." I said, "Just a moment, rabbi, I'm surprised at you. Y...