Why did God condone or permit slavery?
In the historical setting, God permitted slavery because, in ages when the vast majority were illiterate and incapable of decision-making, a benevolent master was the best circumstance such people could have, providing better care than they could hope for on their own.
Les explains that the question “Why did God condone slavery?” must be considered in light of the historical conditions of the greatest period of human history. He says that not many people were educated enough to be an entrepreneur, carry on a profession or business, and make a good living; the vast majority were totally illiterate and totally incapable of decision making. He points to Russia after seventy years of Communism as an example. Under those circumstances, Les says, a benevolent master was the best thing those people could have. He adds that in the South when slavery was holding forth, there were masters like that, and those slaves loved them; they had it better than they could ever have hoped to have it on their own.