3. The first-born was entitled to peculiar privileges. He received a double portion of his father's estate. Deut. xxi. 17. He possessed an authority similar to that of the father over the younger portion of the family. That this was of consequence, may be gathered from the history of Jacob and Esau, especially from the strong desire, and cruel conduct, of the former to obtain his brother's birthright. Gen. xxv. 27 - 34. See also 2 Chron. xxi. 3.

4. These facts will readily explain the manner in which first-born came to be used figuratively, to signify a person of the highest dignity, or to designate any thing of especial importance in its kind. The first-born of death (Job xviii. 13), is a death of extreme painfulness and suffering. The firstborn of the poor (Isa. xiv. 30), are the exceedingly poor. So to set forth the superiority of Christ, he is called the first-begotten of God (Heb. i. 6); and the first-born of every creature. Col. i. 15. And for the same reason his followers are called the church of the first-born. Heb. xii. 23.

5. The authority of the father over his children was very great (Gen. xxxviii. 24); and the laws of Moses, touching the respect and obedience due from the child to the parent, are very severe. "And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death." "And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death." Exod. xxi. 15, 17. And "a stubborn and rebellious" child might be put to death, with the

knowledge and consent of the elders. Deut. xxi. 18-21. This respect toward parents is recognised as one of the requirements of the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments. Exod. xx. 12.

6. Servants and slaves. These might be acquired, by being taken captive in war (Deut. xx. 14); by purchase (Levit. xxv. 44, 45); by debt (2 Kings iv. 1; Matt. xviii. 25); and by birth, these last being the children of slaves, and termed "homeborn” (Jer. ii. 14; Gen. xv. 3. xvii. 23). There was a law respecting the stealing of slaves to this effect: "He that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death." Exod. xxi. 16.

7. Gentile slaves might be kept in continual bondage, and be transferred in the same manner as other property. Levit. xxv. 44-46. But no Hebrew slave could be held in bondage for life. At the expiration of 6 years he might "go out free for nothing" (Exod. xxi. 2); unless he preferred continuing with his master; in which case, he went before the judges, and made declaration that he waived the right granted him by the law, and in token of this, had his ear bored; after which, he could not recover his liberty until the year of jubilee. Exod. xxi. 5, 6. When the year of jubilee came, all Hebrew slaves went out free, whatever the cause of their bondage; and all service, therefore, was valued, accordingly, as it was more or less near to this period. Levit. xxv. 40-42, 50-52. If a man entered into servitude with a wife, at the

end of the six years his wife went out free with him; but if his master gave him a wife during his time of bondage, the wife and her children remained as the property of the master. Exod. xxi. 3, 4.

8. There were several very humane laws designed to protect the slaves from injury and cruelty. The master who should smite his servant, or slave, so that he should "die. under his hand," was to be punished (Exod. xxi. 20, 21); probably with death. Gen. ix. 5, 6. If a slave lost an eye, or a tooth, by a blow from the master, he obtained his liberty. v. 26, 27. If a Hebrew became the slave of a stranger or Gentile, his relations were bound to redeem him, and he was obliged, if able, to refund the purchase money. Levit. xxv. 47 – 55. There is also a very just and merciful law recorded in Exod. xxi. 7 -11.

9. There are many allusions in the New Testament to the customs touching servants or slaves; but these allusions belong rather to slavery as it existed among the Greeks and Romans, than as it was found among the Hebrews. Paul represents himself as the servant, or slave, of Christ, and speaks of Christians as being purchased by him. To the Corinthians he says: "Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price." 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20; vii. 21 – 24.

10. Among the Romans it was common to mark or brand slaves with a hot iron, so that they might be known as their property. This brand was sometimes burned on the hand, but oftener on the

forehead. There is a reference to this practice in Rev. xiii. 16. "And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.” See likewise ch. xiv. 9. The Apostle Paul seems also to allude to this custom, when he says: "From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks (or brands) of the Lord 'Jesus" (Gal. vi. 17); that is, the marks of violence and suffering which I have received in my person, in consequence of my ministry, show to all that I am the servant of the great Master.

11. Let the example of the Apostle inspire us with a holy resolution to be devoted servants of the Lord Jesus; and, remembering that we are bought with a price, let us do the work which our Master has assigned us with diligence, that we may receive the approbation of, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XIII.

1. 2. What is said of those who were childless? Why was it matter for joy to be father of a family? What strange custom arose from this feeling? On what occasion was this alluded to in the New Testament? What offering was made by the mother on the birth of a child? What have you to say of the offering made by Mary on the birth of the Saviour?

3. 4. 4. What is said of the first-born? What circumstances from Scripture can you give in proof of the value put upon this? First-born is used as a figure of what? What is meant by the "first-born of death"? "First-born of the poor"? Why is Jesus called the "first-begotten of God," and the "first-born of every creature"? What idea do you associate with the expression, "church of the first-born"? What is said of the authority of the father over his children? Give an example from the law of Moses. What is said of a stubborn or rebellious child? What does the Decalogue say touching the respect due to parents?

6. 7. 8. How might servants or slaves be acquired? What were those by birth termed? What was the law respecting the stealing of men and selling them for slaves? What is said of Gentile slaves? What of Hebrew slaves? How long might these be kept in bondage? If he chose to remain with his master after the six years were out what followed? What is said of the year of Jubilee. Could a Hebrew, holden by a Hebrew, then, be strictly called a slave, as that word is now used? What is said of the wife and children of a slave or servant? said of the laws respecting servants or slaves? Give examples. If a Hebrew became the slave of a Gentile, what was required of his relations?

What is

9. 10. 11. What is said of the allusions to slavery in the New Testament? How does Paul represent himself and Christians? Give an example. What is said of marking or branding? What is the passage from Revelations, illustrative of this? In what language does Paul allude to this? What is the meaning of the passage? What reflection is suggested by this language touching our faithfulness?