Current News Story That Relates to the Old Testament - Essay Sample

Introduction

There are many stories currently happening in the world that relates to the Old Testament (OT). These stories are either good or bad depending on the doctrines stipulated in the OT. In 2017, the story of slavery in Libya emerged that attracted international attention. This story was astonishing because it emerged many decades after the act was abolished worldwide. Slavery in Libya has rekindled the debate on the issue. In most cases, the OT has been the reference point in the debate. In this regard, it worthy to explain the current news story regarding slavery in Libya and explain how the Old Testament regards this issue.

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The Current News Story

After the death of President Muammar Gadhafi, the Libyan nation erupted in chaos and instability. The situation has elated the slavery and trafficking of human beings, specifically the black people to Europe. The CNN story revealed how some Libyans lured blacks from countries like Nigeria, Sudan, and Ethiopia among others and held against their will (Nima). Through a secret camera recording, she revealed that it is then that these people are auctioneered for as low as $400. In one particular case, she witnessed how a man was auctioned and given to his new master who would use him as his gardener or a digger due to his strength and masculinity. In most cases, these slaves are beaten, forced to work, and denied food and water and even killed mercilessly. CNN discovered that there are nine locations in which auctions are being done in Libya and gave the government pieces of evidence they gathered to aid in the investigation.

What the Old Testament Says about People Involved in Slavery

The Old Testament is controversial about this slavery issue. Whitford elucidates that there has been skepticism concerning OT as some people have argued that it is not as helpful as the New Testament regarding pertinent issues affecting contemporary society like slavery (1-18). For instance, Leviticus 25:44-46 (English Standard Version) encouraged Israelites to make slaves a permanent possession of the children. Also, Exodus 21:2 states that "when you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh, he shall go out free, for nothing." Another OT verse, Exodus 22: 3 encourage selling of a thief who fails to pay for what he or she stole. However, the OT is firm on the treatment of slaves. Exodus 21: 20-21 explains that any master who strikes a slave with a rod till he or she dies deserves death. Leviticus 25:39-43 discourages the evil act of slavery by imploring with people never to make individuals to work as their slaves even if they sell themselves due to devastating poverty. It further requests masters not to deal with their slaves ruthlessly. It is worthy to pinpoint that the OT protected female slaves. Exodus 21:7-11 mandates a man who purchases a female slave to marry her or his son must marry her. The implication for this is that a female slave is virtually a free woman in her master's house.

Similarly, Deuteronomy 23:15-16 appeals to people to handle fellow human beings who take refuge with them as their own and not to oppress them. Furthermore, the OT discourages people from giving up slaves to their former masters in case they escape from them, but instead, these individuals should allow the slaves to dwell in their midst and avoid doing wrong to them. In this regard, it is evident that the OT believes in good treatment of everybody irrespective of their economic background or social issues, failure to which forms of punishment may imply. For example, Exodus 21:16 imposes death punishment for those taking part in slavery. It explains that any person who kidnaps and holds someone against his or her will should be executed to death irrespective of whether the victims are in kidnappers' possession or they have been sold. Nevertheless, Isaiah 58:6 urges people to avoid the wicked act of slavery and let the oppressed free. On a similar note, Leviticus 19:33-34 encourages people to treat strangers who sojourn their land fairly and show love to them. Thus, it is against subjecting strangers to forceful labor, beatings, malnutrition, and other forms of mistreatment.

Conclusion

In general, even though the Old Testament generate contention regarding slavery, one issue is clear. It highly discourages mistreatment of slaves irrespective of their financial background, social issues, and so on. Many verses explain how masters should treat their slaves while others explain how people should handle strangers in their midst. They should be treated them with respect, decorum, and fairness. It is worthy to note that the OT verse gives a stern warning to people who steal and sell fellow human beings. Admittedly, the OT passes a death penalty to anyone who beats and kills a slave. For this reason, the current situation taking place in Libya regarding slavery is unfortunate and condemned in the strongest words possible. People do not deserve the inhumane treatment that most people undergo through in Libya.

Works Cited

Nima Elbagir, CNN. "People For Sale: Where Lives Are Auctioned For $400". CNN, 2018, edition.cnn.com/2017/11/14/africa/libya-migrant-auctions/index.html. Accessed 29 Nov 2018.

The Bible. English Standard Version, Good News Publishers, 2016.Whitford, David M. The curse of Ham in the early modern era: the Bible and the justifications for slavery. Routledge, 2017.