Basic HTML Version
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s . . .
manservant, nor his maidservant”
Exodus 20:17
In ancient Israel, and also in the early New Testament Church of God, there were slave
owners (
Ephesians 6:5-9; Philemon
10-16).
In this present-day society he or she is considered an employee.
Upon observing a very industrious man or woman in gainful
employment by their employers, it becomes easy for another
person to COVET that person to enhance their own stature and
gain.
To try and obtain the man or woman employee as their own
there are numerous ways and methods this undoubtedly
continues to be done, as it has in past time – including going
behind the employer’s back without it being known.
This can bring about reprisals, and undoubtedly often has.
Israel an Agrarian Society
Israel was primarily an agrarian society. Farmers had cattle, donkeys, goats and sheep.
Oxen were used to plow and donkeys a means of transportation. This can yet be seen in
the Arab world where one can often see men riding the donkeys to shop as well as for
other purposes.
Regardless of whether one has little or much, the LORD God commanded these animals
were not to be coveted:
16