If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and then kills or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for the one ox and four sheep for the one sheep. With God restitution isn’t just replacing what was taken/stolen, but replacing it many times over (basically, with interest).
If a thief is caught breaking in and gets killed, there shall not be any guilt for his death. If the sun rises on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. A number of googled commentaries interpret the scripture as saying that if the thief broke in during the night and was killed, the killer would not be guilty of the bloodshed. The reason being that at night the person really couldn’t be seen or the intent could be to cause harm because the residents of the home would be more defenseless at night, perhaps asleep in bed. However, if the thief broke in during the day and was killed, the killer would be guilty of the bloodshed. The reason being that the thief may have just been there to steal or the owner could call for help since others would be around. So, to kill him would be too harsh of a reaction. This line of thinking means that the owner, in the heat of the moment, has to second guess the thief’s intentions. The action of breaking into someone’s home is already an ill willed intent. I found one source that suggested that the statement, “If the sun has risen on him…..”, means that if the thief does not die when caught in the act, then to kill him would be merciless and not affording the thief the opportunity to make restitution. Therefore, the killer would be guilty of the bloodshed. Verse 3 continues to say that the robber should make full restitution. If he has nothing, then he should be sold for his theft. If the theft is found alive in the thief’s possession, whether an ox, donkey or sheep, the thief shall restore double.
If a man allows his animals to graze in another man’s field or vineyard, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.
If a fire is started and catches in thorns so that stacked grain, standing grain or the field is consumed, the one who started the fire has to make restitution.
If a man gives his neighbor money or articles to keep on his behalf and they are stolen from him and the thief is found, he shall pay double. If the thief isn’t found, then the master of the house shall go before the judges to determine if he has stolen his neighbor’s goods.
For any kind of trespass, whether it regards an ox, donkey, sheep, clothing or any lost object which another person claims to be his, both parties should go before the judges. Whichever party the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor.
If a man gives a donkey, an ox, sheep or any animal to his neighbor to keep and the animal dies, or is hurt or driven away and nobody sees it, both parties should take an oath of the Lord between them that he did not do anything to harm the animal and the owner shall accept it. The neighbor does not have to make it good. If the animal is stolen from the neighbor, then he shall make restitution for it. If another animal kills it and the neighbor has the evidence, he does not have to make restitution.
If a man borrows anything (assuming an animal) from his neighbor and it is injured or dies without the owner being present, he does have to make it good. If the owner was with it, he shall not make it good. If the animal was for hire, then the rental fee covers it.
If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed and he takes her virginity, he shall pay the bride-price for her to be his wife. If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, then he shall pay money for the bride-price of virgins. Either way, the man is paying for his sexual actions whether he got to keep the woman or not.
A sorceress was not to be permitted to live.
Anyone who has sex with an animal should be killed.
Anyone who sacrifices to any god, except to the Lord only, was to be utterly destroyed.
Strangers were not to be mistreated or oppressed by the Israelites, because they were strangers in Egypt.
Any widow or fatherless child should not be afflicted. If they are afflicted and cry out at all to the Lord, He promised to hear their cry and He would become extremely angry. God said that he would kill the perpetrator with the sword and their wives shall be widows and their children will be fatherless.
Those who lend money to the poor among them, were not to charge interest on the money like moneylenders did.
If a neighbor’s garment is taken for a pledge, the garment should be returned before sundown. “What will he sleep in?” God said that when that person cries to Him that He would hear because He is gracious.
The Israelites should not revile God nor curse their rulers. They should not delay to offer the first of their ripe produce and juices. They were to give the firstborn of their sons to God also. They were to do the same with their oxen and sheep. It shall be with the mother seven days and then given to God on the eighth day.
They shall be holy men to God. They should not eat meat torn by beasts in the field. That meat should be thrown to the dogs.
We will journey to Exodus 23 next week.
To God Be The Glory!
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Hello Fellow Bloggers:
Rules About Other People’s Property (OPP) – Love it!
These rules are intense. Every one of them has a purpose.
See you in Exodus 23.
If only people would respect other people’s property, this world would be a much better place! The Bible has always given the best layout of how we should be living.