The OT law was clear: Israel was not supposed to enslave fellow Israelites. In certain cases (particularly for debt), an Israelite might temporarily become a slave – but they were to be set free in the 7th year.
Jeremiah 34 makes it clear that Israel was ignoring this requirement. Oh, sure, they "set them free" – only to enslave them once more.
But God says that you should not enslave your brother.
In Philemon, Paul will make a big deal about how Onesimus is your brother. You should not be holding your brother as a slave.
Many have criticized Paul for failing to condemn the institution of slavery. They want Paul to be a modern abolitionist. But abolition takes as its goal merely the "end of slavery." Abolitionism has no positive goal – what are you going to replace it with?
Paul wants to see reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus. He wants to see them live together as brothers.
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