Exodus 21:33 “When a man opens a pit, or when a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit shall make restoration. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead beast shall be his.
– “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
– If a thief is found breaking in
– “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over
– “If fire breaks out, he who started the fire shall make full restitution.
– “If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe
– If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God
– For every breach of trust, the case of both parties shall come before God
– “If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe
– “If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies
“This chapter is full of restitution, of which there is far too little in ordinary Christian life. We try to make amends for injury done to another by an extraordinary amount of civility; but we are reluctant in so many words to frankly confess that we have done wrong, and make proper reparation for the act or speech.” (Meyer)
God gave laws for stealing. The command against theft was already stated in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:15). Here are more specific principles given to judges, so they could apply that principle in the daily life and administration of justice among the people of Israel. A property owner had the right to protect his property with force – but only with reasonable force.
“Thus men are held responsible, not only for the harm they do, but also for the harm they occasion, even though they may not have purposely designed the damage that ensued.” (Kaiser)
“We wrong another not only by what we do, or permit to be done, but in what we carelessly fail to do.” (Meyer)
Restitution was also required in cases of vandalism or foolish negligence, even if one kept the property of another. The Mosaic legal system had a high view of personal responsibility, even with the property of others.
If there was a dispute regarding the loss of property, the judges heard evidence, investigated, and decided who was right and who was wrong. The guilty party had to pay double restitution – whether they were the accused or the defendant. There was a price for false accusation or lawsuit.
The principles of responsibility and restitution also applied to borrowing and lending. Distinctions were to be made according to fairness and justice, not simply to reward whoever suffered loss. Sometimes loss is suffered, and no one is to blame. (Guzik)
The Creator and Author of there is, knowing the thoughts and actions of every single person, and is ever-present seeing everything done under the sun at all times has established these actionable laws for both the just and unjust. The standard for justice, being established by God, is right, true, and just.
We have laws that try to govern justice. These laws reflect just how far a person will go to circumvent being right, true, and just. Right or wrong does not seem to matter. What can be proven does. For the most part our system of laws and justice work when applied but there are always ways to get around and counter them on technical merits.
I have to wonder if this is how a person looks at God and His justice. When God states that all men are guilty of sin and fall short of the glory of God, and are condemned to hell, do they acknowledge this, repent, and seek forgiveness? Do they believe that God, who sent His one and only Son to redeem them, has given them a means of restoration with Him? Do they understand that belief, trust, faith, and reliance on Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved from eternal damnation? Do they deny the need for redemption and salvation? Do they see their sin? Do they understand the eternal destiny this question of forgiveness demands? Do they try to find ways to perform acts of good to forgive their sins and thereby be made right before God? Do they pretend that there is no guilt of sin in their lives? Salvation through the grace, mercy, and love of God can not be earned by any works of man. If left to ourselves there would be no hope, no possibility of being made right. We would all be condemned to eternal damnation. No person will be made right before God by following laws, doing good, or any other means manufactured in the minds of mankind. Laws of justice and restitution are principles for administering justice in the daily lives of people. They are right and true and just.
But make no mistake about the laws, rules, and statutes of God, they are for us to live by this side of eternity and how to live in peace and obedience to God and with others. They are not a means to salvation, redemption, and forgiveness. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, the life and only faith, trust, belief, and reliance in His sacrifice is the way to forgiveness, salvation, redemption, and eternal life.
