A Pastoral Pondering
(Slave or Servant)

Perhaps you’ve read Eugene Peterson’s book entitled “The Way Of Jesus”. It impacted me deeply with its focuse on what “The Way” really means – how it’s worked out in the real world in our real lives. There’s a section in it that addresses servanthood. Please allow me a few moments of your time to share some quotes on that subject.

“Servant” is not a new term to designate the people of God. Early on, the term “servant” formed the core of their self-understanding. The great Red Sea salvation that set Israel free from Egyptian bondage did not make them a free people but servants of another Master. “For it is to me (God) that the people of Israel are servants (‘abadin = slaves). They are my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God” (Lev.25:55 ESV). They were free from Egyptian bondage, but they were not free from God. The point of the exodus is not freedom in the sense of self-determination, but service, the service of the loving, redeeming, and delivering God of Israel, rather than the state and its proud king.”

“Both the people and Moses were still slaves. What changed, the only thing that changed, was that they had a different Master, Yahweh the Lord of life instead of Pharaoh the tyrant of death. “The same word in Hebrew, ‘ebed, translates into English as either slave or servant depending on context: if the servitude is forced, you are a slave; if the servitude is chosen, you are a servant. The same goes for the New Testament Greek word doulos --- either servant or slave).”

“Servants have no credentials, no status, no achievements that qualify them for great work. Servant is a position without distinction, the lowest rung on the work ladder.”

“Among a biblically informed people, servant has always been our given identity. We serve God: God does not serve us. God gives the orders, God provides terms of our service; we carry them out. God is a good and merciful master, but God does not serve us.”

“God’s way, always, is to use servants. Servants: men and women without standing, without accomplishment, without influence. The core element in a servant identity is not being God, not being in charge, not taking the initiative. Or, to put it positively, a servant enters into what has already been decided by another, what is already going on, alert to the gestures and guidance of the Master (Ps.123). The servant doesn’t know the whole story, doesn’t know the end from the beginning. The servant’s task is to be competent in the immediate affairs that have to do with what he knows of the desires of his Master. All the while he is also aware that there is far more going on, both good and evil, than he has any knowledge of. He lives, in other words, in a mystery but not in confusion. A good servant is ever eager to trust and obey and honor God as the sovereign who is always personal and present –Yahweh: God here and now.”

(From: “The Way Of Jesus” / Eugene Peterson / Eerdmans Publishing Co., ’07)

Consider (ponder) all the above as it relates to your personal relationship as a worshipper of the “One True God” (Deut.6:4). Our theology of worship must contain a clear understanding of what it means to serve (worship) our Lord or our sacrificial offerings of praise can easily become misguided. Such a lack of understanding often leads us down a pathway that moves from fruitfulness to barrenness. I'll have more to say about that in another posting.

Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI

“UNTIL HIS MERCY COMES”
(Ps.123:2)

As the eyes of a servant, look to the hand of his master
As the eyes of a maid, look to her mistresses’ hand
So our eyes look up, to the Lord, our God and Maker
Until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes

As the soul of a sinner, crys in the night from his suffering
As a heart of repentance, seeks for a Healers touch
So our tears fall down, like rain on a barren desert
Until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes

As the joy of a child, climbing into the lap of their Father
As the peace from a life, redeemed by a Saviors gift
So our praises rise, up the throne of our Sovereign
Until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes

Mercy (Chanan): To bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior. To favor or bestow kindness.


By: W. Berry
See & Say Songs, BMI, 4/‘07