1. The Regulation of God, verses 12-14. The Lord demanded that all Jewish servants be freed from slavery after six years of servitude. This was to remind the Jews of their freedom from Egyptian bondage.
2. The Response of the People, verses 15-16. For a while, the command was obeyed and the people released the slaves as they promised they would do. Later, however, those who had been freed were ordered to return to their bondage. This action was taken in defiance of God's directive.
3. The Results of Disobedience, verses 17-22. The Lord would send judgment upon the nation, reject their worship and destroy their beloved cities.
4. Application – the Reason for the Judgment. The release of the slaves pictured the liberation of sinners by almighty grace from the dominion of sin and the captivity of Satan. When the people insisted that those who had been freed return to serve again, they ruined the picture of the security of ransomed sinners in Christ. No redeemed sinner, once freed from the servitude of their enemies, will ever be brought again into captivity or lose the salvation that has been given through Jesus Christ the Lord.