The Israelites are instructed to be kind in another fashion to their own people. They were never to turn their relatives into slaves, no matter how desperate the need in their lives. They were only to have them as servants, and they would be released in the year of Jubilee, and could redeem themselves early or be redeemed by a family member if they had the means to do so. Foreigners could be conscripted as slaves, but they were still to treat them fairly.
The next section of Scripture was the promises of God concerning the behavior and lifestyle of Israel. As long as Israel served Yahweh and lived according to His laws, they would be blessed in myriad ways. Healthy crops, peace, military victories, many children, the presence of God in their midst, etc., would be their blessings. However, if they did not obey God and followed after other idols they would live in terror, have failed crops, be beset by wild animals, be in constant conflict with their enemies, die early, be desolate, live in fear, etc. If they then repented, they would no longer have the punishment, but their land would be empty.
The slavery of Israelites prohibition goes right along with the previous discussions about land and the Year of Jubilee. However, the blessings and cursings are a further discussion of previous promises from God concerning His covenant with them. It is important to note the connection to the land, as discussed just a few chapters earlier. The inheritance of the people of Israel was dependent upon their relationship with Yahweh. Its health and blessedness was dependent upon the behavior of the Israelites. In somewhat the same way, we today are blessed as we live in relationship with God. We do not have a works-based faith, due to the covenant of grace under which we live. However, there is still a standard of holiness by which we must live and act. Therefore, the closer you walk with God, the more righteous your life will be lived. The more righteously we live, the more pleasing to God we will be. The blessings of God pour out of relationship. Get close to God and be blessed!
Devoted To You 