Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
"If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep. "If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed. "A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft. "If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double. "If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in another man's field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard. "If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution. "If a man gives his neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor's house, the thief, if he is caught, must pay back double. But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges to determine whether he has laid his hands on the other man's property. In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, 'This is mine,' both parties are to bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges declare guilty must pay back double to his neighbor. "If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to his neighbor for safekeeping and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no one is looking, the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath before the Lord that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other person's property. The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is required. But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner. If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, he shall bring in the remains as evidence and he will not be required to pay for the torn animal. "If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, he must make restitution. But if the owner is with the animal, the borrower will not have to pay. If the animal was hired, the money paid for the hire covers the loss." Exodus 22:1-15
In the eighth commandment, God stated, "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15). At the start of Chapter 22, God expands His command and lays down the penalties for theft. His guidance was as follows:
- If a man steals and ox or sheep…he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.
- A thief must certainly make restitution…
- If a thief cannot make restitution, he must be sold to pay for his theft.
- If a stolen animal is found alive in his (the thief’s) possession, he must pay back double.
- If a man allows his livestock to graze in another man’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.
- If a fire breaks out and burns shocks of grain or standing grain in a field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.
- If a man gives his neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen, the thief must pay back double.
- The one who the judges deem to be guilty of illegally possessing the livestock, garment or any other lost property must pay back double to his neighbor.
- If an animal is stolen from a neighbor, restitution must be made to the owner.
- If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, he must make restitution.
In each of these scenarios, notice two key things.
First, in every one, restitution had to be made. In other words, there was a real price to pay for sinning. We must remember that when God tells us to do something, we best do it or else we might be "paying" for our decision to disobey Hs commands.
Second, the pay back was often more that the original value of what was stolen. This was designed to serve as a deterrent to stealing. If you had to pay back more than what you took, the theory was that you would be less likely to steal. And if the thief decided to still steal and his debt to society couldn’t repay, then he was to be sold into slavery with the proceeds from his sale used to pay off his theft. Truly, there is a heavy cost paid for our sins and God will expect us to repent and then obey His will for us. When we do this, He will convict us and guide us to how we can best pay Him back. Typically, at least in my experience, He will have you pay back through ministering to others in His name. The return on that investment will far exceed the sin you committed in the first place.
So what do we gain from this passage that can help us in our daily lives? Well…first of all, don’t sin in the first place. Now you might say this is impossible because we’re all diseased and sin-sick inside but with Jesus at the center of our hearts, minds and thoughts we can ward off sin and keep it in remission. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) Keep Him and only Him in your heart, mind and soul and there will be no room for Satan to enter in. This is because they cannot co-exist in the same place. So bring Jesus in, push Satan out and watch what the Lord override any sin that might try and get a foothold within you.
Our second takeaway is that there is often a heavy price paid for our sinfulness. The most severe penalty ever for our sins was Jesus Himself…who took the weight of all our sins and bore them on the cross of Calvary. Because of Him, we are more than conquerors…because of Him, we are taken from despair to hope…because of Him, our debt has been paid in full. This Lenten season, won’t you invest more time toward studying and examining Jesus closer? If you do, you’ll realize how very awesome He is…you’ll realize why He is known as our redeemer…and you’ll see a love like no other on display, a love that would lead Jesus to lay His life down for His friends (you and I). And there is no greater love than this. (John 15:13) Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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