"And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go free. Then his master shall bring him unto the judged; he shall also bring him to the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him forever." Ex. 21:5, 6

The freeing of the slaves in our country is one of the most memorable days in our history. However, as in Israel's early history, not all slaves, after 6 years of servitude, immediately accepted that freedom. Some slaves voluntarily chose to stay with their previous owners. In the O.T. times, motivated by love and respect, a slave had the option of staying with His master beyond the 6 year limit. In a civil ceremony before a judge, the slave would have a hole pierced through his ear indicating to everyone he had made a free will decision to serve his former master for the rest of his life. Have we made that same life time commitment to serve our Lord?