Exodus 22:1-15
~19 min read
💭 Consider this: What does the way that God cares for our property reveal about the way that He cares for us?
TRANSCRIPT
Our text for tonight's message is taken from Exodus 22:1-15. There are some people who criticise the Bible, saying that it is an old book written thousands of years ago and that the biblical justice system was ancient, wicked, cruel, and unfair, and it is totally irrelevant to us in our modern times. However, upon careful examination, we can see that God's law was just and fair. It would not punish a petty crime with a death penalty, nor would it punish a wicked crime with a light punishment. His laws were based on a careful study of each case so that the right justice was administered where the punishment fits the crime.
But the punishment fitting the crime was not only for the purpose of punishing the crime; there was another aspect to it, and that was to deter the crime. There is a sense in which the law must invoke fear in the hearts of the people so that they will be deterred from committing the crime. Therefore, in administering justice, several things have to be taken into consideration: What does the justice require? Should the victim be compensated? Should the offender simply be put into jail? Is there something else they ought to do to make things right? Will the punishment deter such similar cases? All these things had to be taken into consideration.
This is what this passage is all about, and it is in regards to laws regarding properties. In our modern society, there are people who set up false accounts, cheat on their taxes, make false reports on their profits and losses, deprive people of their life savings, and they only receive a small fine, just like a tap on the wrist. Sometimes when the crime is so extensive that the damage done is to the tune of tens of millions, all the culprit needs to do is to declare bankruptcy. No wonder we see so many repeated offenders. Why? Because they are not afraid of the consequences.
The title of our message is "The Punishment Deters the Crime – property laws." Through Moses, God had given these laws to the children of Israel so that they would live in peace and harmony as a covenant community.
I. Theft
Firstly, Moses gave the laws regarding crimes of theft. Let us begin with verse one of Exodus chapter 22: "If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep." At first glance, this law may not seem relevant to us living in the 21st century since most of us do not deal with animals like oxen or sheep. But this law was based on the eighth commandment: "Thou shall not steal." Therefore, although this case mentions animals, which in ancient times were the people's primary source of wealth, for us, the biblical principle applies to any kind of property. God has given people a right to receive property, to own property, which ought to be used for His glory. So it was wrong to take it from them.
But what if something was stolen? If something was stolen, the victim was to be compensated, and the amount depended upon what was stolen and what happened after the thing was stolen. In those days, the ox was used to cultivate the land, and it was a man's most valuable instrument. It took years for him to train the ox to work in the fields, and it was hard to replace a good animal. It is very similar to the contractor in our time who has all his tools stolen. It took him years to accumulate those tools, and losing them will be just like losing his source of livelihood. Therefore, if a man were to steal an ox or a sheep and either kill it for food or sell it for profit, he must restore a fivefold restitution for the ox and a fourfold restitution for the sheep.
Most likely, the difference in restitution was due to the fact that the ox was more valuable in that it worked in the fields, while the sheep only produced milk. Less compensation was required if the animal was still alive. Look down to verse four: "If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double." The reason for the difference in compensation was obvious because if the animal was still alive, then the owner need not have to go out and find a replacement, but the thief still had to pay for his crime by paying the owner double for all the time and labor lost.
Then Moses moved on to speak about crimes relating to breaking and entering into homes. Verse two: "If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him." Verse three: "If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft." If a thief were to break into a house in the middle of the night, the homeowner had the right to defend his property. The homeowner would have no idea what the intruder intended to do or what weapons he was carrying. The homeowner did not have the time to consider his reaction; he had to defend himself. If the intruder happened to get killed in the process, the homeowner would not be charged with murder because it was an act of self-defense.
But the situation was different if the crime was committed in broad daylight. If the intruder broke in during the daytime, he should not be killed. Understandably, the homeowner could see who he was, whether he was a murderer or a burglar, which means he could be recognised. So in such a situation, he should report the intruder to the authorities, who would then execute the punishment. In other words, the law did not allow vigilante justice. Even the life of the thief was precious to God; he had the right to live. What if the thief was caught and he was not able to make restitution? He would have to sell himself and work until he could pay off his debts.
II. Negligence
Next, Moses moved on to speak on cases of negligence. Look at verse five: "If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution." Verse six: "If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.”
Both these cases were accidents, but they were not freak accidents, so to speak; they were due to the negligence of someone. In the first case, the man was callous with his flock of animals. In those days, they did not have barbed wire like what we have today, so the people had the responsibility to keep the animals within their own fields. A person's field was as precious a resource as his animals, so when someone's flock ventured into the neighbour's field and ate his produce, it was not enough to say, "I'm sorry, it was an accident." The right thing to do was to make restitution by allowing the neighbour's animals to eat his own best produce. That was just and fair.
The second case was about wildfire. Sometimes farmers would set their fields on fire to clear the weeds and thorns and prepare the ground for the next crop. But there was always the danger that the thorns would catch fire and spread, causing the neighbour's field to be on fire too and be burnt as well. This was not a case of arson; the man did not start the fire with the intention for it to spread. However, due to his negligence, the fire spread and destroyed the neighbour's crops, so he had to make restitution for the damage and loss. This is what we call legal liability in our modern times, and it is a biblical principle. Even in the case of an accident, God expects us to take full responsibility for our actions. Whether we intend to cause the damage or not, we have to take full responsibility for our actions.
III. Safekeeping
Moses then spoke about cases relating to safekeeping. Let us move on to verse seven: "If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double." In those days, there were no banks, no safe deposit boxes, or secure storage facilities. When the people traveled, most of the time they could not bring along their belongings. Therefore, it was common for them to leave their most valuable possessions with a neighbour. If the belongings were still there when they returned, all was well and good. But what if the belongings were stolen while they were away? God had provided laws to cover this situation. If the thief was caught, then he had to pay double for his crime. But what if the thief was not caught?
Verse eight: "If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.” Verse nine: “For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour."
This is the kind of situation that naturally raises suspicion. The neighbour said a robber has come in the middle of the night and stole the belongings. But is he telling the truth, or is it a lie? No one can tell. In such a situation, the right thing to do was to bring the matter to the elders, who were the judges, and they would carefully investigate the case. If the friend turned out to be the one who took the belongings, then he was the thief, and he would have to pay double, just like the thief would have to pay double. If he was telling the truth, then he did not pay anything because he was helping his friend in the first place.
Verse 10: "If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it”. Verse 11: “Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good." Here again, the property given for safekeeping was lost or damaged, a situation that could easily lead to dispute, argument, and resentment. If the animal disappeared, no one saw it, no one can testify to it, the neighbour had to take a vow before God that it was not his fault. The man who suffered the loss had to take his friend at his words. No restitution was required.
At this moment, let us pause and consider how the people in those days put such a high premium on their words. They were all expected to mean what they say and say what they mean truthfully. Most importantly, they took God very seriously. The vows or oaths they took before God meant a lot to them. No one dared to play the fool with God. Unlike today, we can hardly take a man at his word, and even in the taking of vows and oaths, they mean nothing to them.
That is the reason why people break their marriage vows, their church membership vows, their leadership vows, the oaths that they take in the court of justice. They break them. They said, before everyone, to speak the truth and nothing but the truth, but all they spoke were lies. People just do not care. They do not put a high premium on the words they speak. It is so sad that the society we live in is so degraded that we can hardly trust anyone. It is so tragic. But in those days, the people meant what they said, and they said what they meant. They took their vows and oaths very seriously because they took God very seriously.
Again, the situation was different if it was a known case of theft or the animal was killed. Verse 12: "And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.” Verse 13: “If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.”
The Bible does not tell us the reason why the neighbour had to make restitution for a stolen animal. There are several possible explanations. Some theologians believe that the man who was looking after the neighbour's animal in his absence had the right to use the animal to work in his own field. So, in a sense, he did benefit from it, and it was his responsibility to look after it. Others believe that the phrase "if it be stolen from him" literally means "if the animal had certainly been stolen," which gives the idea that he knew the animal was stolen. He had watched it happen. It had certainly happened right before his eyes, and he should have done something to stop it, but he did not. So, due to his negligence, he was required to make restitution.
However, if the animal was attacked by a wild animal, all he had to do was to prove his case by producing parts of the animal, whether it be the head or the leg or parts of the skin, as evidence. So, if he were to tell the owner that "your animal was killed by a wild animal," what was the evidence? Well, this is the evidence. Then he will produce whatever was left behind.
IV. Borrowing
Finally, Moses moved on to talk about cases relating to borrowing. Verse 14: "And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good." In the case of safekeeping, the person who asked his friend to watch his belongings had to assume the risk. But when it came to borrowing, the borrower had to take full responsibility. If something happened to the borrowed property, even if it was an accident, the borrower had to make full restitution. There were no penalties involved because there was no mischief. He just had to make up for the owner's loss.
But there were some exceptions. If the owner himself happened to be present when the accident took place, then the owner had to take responsibility for his own loss because he was the owner after all, and he had seen what transpired. If the animal was hired (rented) rather than borrowed, then the borrower need not pay anything because the rental price was supposed to cover the loss. As verse 15 said, "But if the owner thereof be with it” – he was present – “he shall not make it good:” – so, he did not pay any restitution – “if it be a hired thing, it came for his hire." So, whatever was lost will be covered up in the rental price. That is what it means.
V. What do God's Laws Reveal about Him?
Dear friend, you may be wondering, “This is just a list of laws after laws.” But there are so many wonderful lessons we can learn from these laws. Contrary to those people who criticise the Old Testament as being harsh, have you ever encountered anyone who says to you that the Old Testament is so harsh? Here we can see a good example that nothing is further from the truth.
Firstly, we see God giving his law to be a blessing so that the people will be taught how to live as a covenant community, so that the people would respect one another's property. God was not only concerned about the people's lives but even their properties, and He wanted them to respect one another, including their property.
Secondly, the demand for compensation was supposed to deter would-be criminals. If there are no punishments or the punishment does not fit the crime, it is just like a tap on the wrist. Then people will not be afraid of the consequences. They knew if they were caught, they would have to face the penalty. They would have to pay back double what they had stolen. They wanted to get rich, but instead, they would be made poor. That would be a deterrence. When these laws were applied into their lives, it would bring peace, harmony, and unity amongst the covenant community.
Thirdly, these laws also protected life, even the life of the thief. No other laws in the ancient world would provide such protection for the thief. Some of the ancient laws, which some Middle Eastern countries still apply today, for stealing they would require the death penalty, or they would have their hands cut off. God's law forbids that. God's law did not allow excessive punishment. The punishment must fit the crime, and it cannot be excessive, and it must also be a form of deterrence.
Another difference between God's law and the laws of the pagans was that in many cultures and societies, the penalty for theft was based on the social status of the victim. The justice system was not based on what the thief took, but who was the person from whom he took it. If he took it from a poor person, then it did not matter. If he took it from a rich and influential person, then he would have to pay a heavy price, even with his own life. That was the law of the pagans in ancient times. Even in our modern society, oftentimes they will look at the social status of the victims. So, when the poor reports a case, he may not receive much attention. But when the rich and influential reports a case (depending on who you know), then you'll be given much attention.
God's law is different because our God is different. He is no respecter of persons. Whether you are rich or poor, it doesn't matter. Everyone is equal in the justice of God. In the court of our almighty God, everyone stands equal. That is why someone said, "At the foot of the cross, the ground is level. Everyone stands equal in the sight of the Almighty God."
One more important thing we can learn about God's law is that when it comes to theft, our justice system today demands punishment or incarceration, but it does not always provide restitution. What do we mean by that? Sometimes the offenders are thrown into prison, but they don't always have to pay what they owe. Even if they do have to pay fines, the money is often paid to the state rather than to the victims. It is so common for us to read in the news about people who commit corporate crimes whereby they cheat and steal from people through scams, through false investment schemes, and so forth. When they are caught, they pay a hefty fine, and that fine goes to the state, and they are thrown into prison. But the victims have to live with the losses. Some of them have lost their hard-earned life savings. Nobody cares about them.
God's law is different. God cares. He cares for the offender as well as the victim. He demands that the offender makes restitution and be restored, and the restitution goes to the victim.
God's law also requires restitution when people are negligent. The wildfire is a good example because the same thing happens here in Australia. We used to have bush fires, right? Some of the bush fires are caused by the hot climate, while others are caused by callous human beings. There were occasions when the bush fires were caused by people who smoke and threw their lighted cigarette butts into the bushes, or people who ignored the warnings not to barbecue during hot summer, and then the sparks from the fire flew and landed on the dry bushes. They were the cause of the wildfires. It was due to their carelessness or negligence. The one who started the fire ought to do everything he can in his power to make restitution. That is what God's law requires. Everyone has to take full responsibility for his action.
VI. How Can I Apply These Principles?
How can we apply these principles into our lives? Whenever we do something that damages someone else's property, whether we meant it or not, we need to rectify the damage. It is not good enough to say, "I am sorry, it is an accident," and then expect others to pay for what we have done. An apology is good, but justice demands that we make restitution, that we make right with our neighbours.
If our pet dog digs up our neighbour's beautiful rose plant, then we need to replace it. If we are invited to a friend's house and we broke an expensive vase, we need to pay for it. If we kick the ball and broke a car window, we need to have it replaced. If we borrow our friend's computer and accidentally break it, we need to buy him another one. These are just some examples. In a sense, we ought to be careful to pay attention to the things we borrow. In fact, better than if it belongs to us, we must take extra special care.
When it comes to restitution, one classic example of someone in the Bible who was most willing to make restitution was Zacchaeus. I believe all of us are familiar with this character Zacchaeus. When the Lord Jesus saved Zacchaeus, he said to Jesus that he was willing to pay anyone whom he had cheated of anything four times the amount. Zacchaeus seemed to know the law of God recorded in the book of Exodus chapter 22, which we had just considered. But he went one step further by saying that he was willing to give half of his possession to the poor.
You know this happens when a sinner truly and genuinely comes to Jesus Christ because he understands and he is full of gratitude to God for his wonderful grace, so much so that he is willing not only to make right with his neighbour but he was willing to go the extra mile to do everything he can to help his neighbour. So Zacchaeus was an excellent example. The moment he was converted, he thought about those people whom he had deceived and cheated. He was willing to make right with his neighbour, and then he went the extra mile to do everything he can to help his neighbour, even to the point of giving half of his possessions.
Dear friend, as believers we need to ask ourselves: “Yes, we are made right with God, but what about our neighbours? Are we right with our neighbours? Have we helped ourselves to something that does not belong to us? Have we taken advantage of someone in a business deal? Is there anything in our house that does not belong to us?” Even if it is something that was stolen a long time ago, whether we took it on purpose or by mistake, it may be as trivial as a book or a pen, we need to give it back. God knows what we have taken, and we have to give an account of everything we have taken.
Sometimes we may not have done anything wrong, but it is so difficult to prove ourselves. Our words must still be true all the time. As Jesus said, "Let your yea be yea and your nay be nay." Even if the people do not believe us, even if we cannot prove ourselves, what should we do? We call upon God as our judge. Just like the people in those days, they took an oath before God that it was not their fault. We call upon the Almighty God, and He will help us.
This is how we apply the principles of God's laws into our lives. If every one of us were to apply these principles, then we will truly be a living testimony in this dark and sinful world. Please do not say like those people who use the statement, "In Rome, do what the Romans do." In other words, if we live in a world that is full of lies, deceptions, where people cheat one another, steal from one another, then we just live as what the people would do.
We are Christians. We are saved by the precious blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. God forbids that you and I should live such a life. We ought to be different. We ought to be separated. We ought to live in the light. Everything we do, say, or even think, we must consider God who is our ultimate judge. His laws must always guard our hearts and minds. So may we all obey His laws and apply these principles so that we will be vessels of light in this sinful world.
Let us pray. Our Father in heaven, we thank you for giving us this opportunity that we can consider this portion of Scriptures. Although these are laws given to the children of Israel, these civil laws, yet there are biblical principles that we can draw from all these laws, and there are wonderful lessons we can learn about Thee and Thy wisdom, why Thou would give such punishments to those offenders. As we have learned in the past that the punishment fits the crime, and today we learned that the punishment also deters the crime. Indeed, Thou art wise and Thy laws are also wise. Thou art just and Thy laws are also just and fair. And contrary to those people who say all kinds of things about Thy laws, we testify and acknowledge that Thy laws are good and beneficial for all of us. So help us that we will be able to remember the lessons we have learned and to draw the spiritual lessons, apply them into our lives, all to the glory of Thy precious name. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
THE BOOK OF EXODUSGod’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To PassGod’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To PassExodus 1:1-7
From Prosperity to PersecutionFrom Prosperity to PersecutionExodus 1:8-14
God’s Protection in the Midst of AdversitiesGod’s Protection in the Midst of AdversitiesExodus 1:15-21
The Faith of JochebedThe Faith of JochebedExodus 1:22-2:10
Moses in EgyptMoses in EgyptExodus 2:11-15
Moses in the Desert of MidianMoses in the Desert of MidianExodus 2:16-25
Moses and the Burning BushMoses and the Burning BushExodus 3:1-9
Who Are You?Who Are You?Exodus 3:10-15
Who Am I?Who Am I?Exodus 3:10-15
God’s Message to Israel and EgyptGod’s Message to Israel and EgyptExodus 3:16-22
What If They Still Don’t Believe?What If They Still Don’t Believe?Exodus 4:1-9
Send Someone ElseSend Someone ElseExodus 4:10-17
Moses’ Return to EgyptMoses’ Return to EgyptExodus 4:18-20
When Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got WorseWhen Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got WorseExodus 5:10-21
When We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble ComesWhen We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble ComesExodus 5:22-6:5
Having to Learn the Same Lesson TwiceHaving to Learn the Same Lesson TwiceExodus 6:6-12
Faithful or UnfaithfulFaithful or UnfaithfulExodus 6:13-27
What God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and ObedienceWhat God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and ObedienceExodus 6:28-7:7
The First Plague - The River of BloodThe First Plague - The River of BloodExodus 7:14-25
The Second Plague - The FrogsThe Second Plague - The FrogsExodus 8:1-15
The Third PlagueThe Third PlagueExodus 8:16-19
The Fourth PlagueThe Fourth PlagueExodus 8:20-32
The Fifth PlagueThe Fifth PlagueExodus 9:1-7
The Sixth PlagueThe Sixth PlagueExodus 9:8-12
The Seventh PlagueThe Seventh PlagueExodus 9:13-35
The Eighth PlagueThe Eighth PlagueExodus 10:1-20
The Tenth PlagueThe Tenth PlagueExodus 11:1-10
The First PassoverThe First PassoverExodus 12:1-13
The Feast of the Unleavened BreadThe Feast of the Unleavened BreadExodus 12:14-28
Departure From EgyptDeparture From EgyptExodus 12:29-42
This Do In Remembrance of MeThis Do In Remembrance of MeExodus 12:43-51; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!Exodus 12:48-49, Colossians 2:11-12
Redemption and ConsecrationRedemption and ConsecrationExodus 13:1-2, 11-16
Precious Lord, Take My HandPrecious Lord, Take My HandExodus 13:17-22
Between the Desert and the Red SeaBetween the Desert and the Red SeaExodus 14:1-14
Crossing the Red SeaCrossing the Red SeaExodus 14:15-31
The Song of PraiseThe Song of PraiseExodus 15:1-21
Will You Obey Or Not?Will You Obey Or Not?Exodus 15:22-27
The Danger of a Complaining SpiritThe Danger of a Complaining SpiritExodus 16:1-3
God’s Response to Israel’s ComplaintsGod’s Response to Israel’s ComplaintsExodus 16:1-10
The Test of FaithThe Test of FaithExodus 16:11-20
Lessons About the SabbathLessons About the SabbathExodus 16:21-36
Do Not Test GodDo Not Test GodExodus 17:1-17
Lift Up Your HandsLift Up Your HandsExodus 17:8-16
The Blessedness of ReunionThe Blessedness of ReunionExodus 18:1-12
Why Do We Have Leaders?Why Do We Have Leaders?Exodus 18:13-27
I Will Carry You On Eagles’ WingsI Will Carry You On Eagles’ WingsExodus 19:1-6
Approach God Fearlessly or FearfullyApproach God Fearlessly or FearfullyExodus 19:7-15
God Reached Out And SpokeGod Reached Out And SpokeExodus 19:16-25
Thou Shalt Have No Other GodsThou Shalt Have No Other GodsExodus 20:1-3
Thou Shalt Not Make Graven ImagesThou Shalt Not Make Graven ImagesExodus 20:4-6
Thou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s NameThou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s NameExodus 20:7
Thou Shalt Keep The Sabbath DayThou Shalt Keep The Sabbath DayExodus 20:8-11
Honour Thy Father And Thy MotherHonour Thy Father And Thy MotherExodus 20:12
Thou Shalt Not KillThou Shalt Not KillExodus 20:13
Thou Shalt Not Commit AdulteryThou Shalt Not Commit AdulteryExodus 20:14
Thou Shalt Not StealThou Shalt Not StealExodus 20:15
Thou Shalt Not LieThou Shalt Not LieExodus 20:16
Thou Shalt Not CovetThou Shalt Not CovetExodus 20:17
The Response To The Ten CommandmentsThe Response To The Ten CommandmentsExodus 20:18-21
How God Wants Us To Worship HimHow God Wants Us To Worship HimExodus 20:22-26
Why Would God Allow Slavery?Why Would God Allow Slavery?Exodus 21:1-11
The Punishment Fits The Crime — a life for a lifeThe Punishment Fits The Crime — a life for a lifeExodus 21:12-17
The Punishment Fits The Crime — an eye for an eyeThe Punishment Fits The Crime — an eye for an eyeExodus 21:18-36
The Punishment Deters The Crime — property lawsThe Punishment Deters The Crime — property lawsExodus 22:1-15
The Character Of GodThe Character Of GodExodus 22:16-20
Reaching Out To The Down-And-OutReaching Out To The Down-And-OutExodus 22:21-24
The Compassion, Authority & Holiness Of GodThe Compassion, Authority & Holiness Of GodExodus 22:25-31
Truth Cannot Be Subjected To Anything But TruthTruth Cannot Be Subjected To Anything But TruthExodus 23:1-9
Remember Who God IsRemember Who God IsExodus 23:10-19
What Must We Do To Have VictoryWhat Must We Do To Have VictoryExodus 23:20-33
If Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up HenceIf Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up HenceExodus 33:12-23
