SUNDAY, 22 JANUARY 2023
TEXT:
Exodus 22:1-15
1.
“When a man steals an ox or a sheep and butchers it or sells it, he must repay
five cattle for the ox or four sheep for the sheep.
2.
If a thief is caught in the act of breaking in, and he is beaten to death, no
one is guilty of bloodshed.
3.
But if this happens after sunrise, there is guilt of bloodshed. A thief must
make full restitution. If he is unable, he is to be sold because of his theft.
4.
If what was stolen—whether ox, donkey, or sheep—is actually found alive in his
possession, he must repay double.
5.
“When a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed in, and then allows his animals
to go and graze in someone else’s field, he must repay with the best of his own
field or vineyard.
6.
“When a fire gets out of control, spreads to thornbushes, and consumes stacks
of cut grain, standing grain, or a field, the one who started the fire must
make full restitution for what was burned.
7.
“When a man gives his neighbor money or goods to keep, but they are stolen from
that person’s house, the thief, if caught, must repay double.
8.
If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house must represent himself to
the judges to determine whether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property.
9.
In any case of wrongdoing involving an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or
anything [else] lost, and someone claims: That’s mine, the case between the two
parties is to come before the judges. The one the judges condemn must repay
double to his neighbor.
10.
“When a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any [other] animal
to care for, but it dies, is injured, or is stolen, while no one is watching,
11.
there must be an oath before the LORD between the two of them to determine
whether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property. Its owner must accept [the
oath], and the other man does not have to make restitution.
12.
But if, in fact, the animal was stolen from his custody, he must make
restitution to its owner.
13.
If it was actually torn apart [by a wild animal], he is to bring it as
evidence; he does not have to make restitution for the torn carcass.
14.
“When a man borrows [an animal] from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies
while its owner is not there with it, the man must make full restitution.
15.
If its owner is there with it, the man does not have to make restitution. If it
was rented, the loss is covered by its rental price.
(Holmans CS Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
THE IMPORTANCE OF RESTITUTION
Law
regarding restitution were made to prevent culprits from fake repentance while
going ahead to enjoy their ill-gotten loot. This was to prevent what is termed
in Hausa ‘Tuban muzuru da kaza a baka’.
This means the repentance of a wild cat while still clutching the hen with its
teeth.
Restitution
helps to bring to our consciousness the gravity of our sins and serves as a
painful punishment to deter us from future or continual indulgence in the sin.
When anyone was found guilty of a sin, they were required to take some acts of
restitution which more than compensated for the loss that was suffered by the
victim.
Even
in this period of grace, forgiveness does not prelude restitution, where
necessary. It should be the result of genuine repentance as opposed to fake
repentance which allows the culprit to still enjoy the fruits of his sinful
act, which is very common today.
QUESTION:
After asking for forgiveness for your sin, what restitution do you need to
make?
PRAYER:
Oh God, give the grace for genuine repentance backed by restitution, in Jesus name,
Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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