Monthly Archives: July 2024

EXODUS 22 ON BORROWING AND LENDING

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July 4

EXODUS 22

9 For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.10 “If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe, and it dies or is injured or is driven away, without anyone seeing it, 11 an oath by the Lord shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution. 12 But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. 13 If it is torn by beasts, let him bring it as evidence. He shall not make restitution for what has been torn.14 “If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies, the owner not being with it, he shall make full restitution. 15 If the owner was with it, he shall not make restitution; if it was hired, it came for its hiring fee.– Exodus 22:9-15

EXODUS 22 ON BORROWING AND LENDING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one borrows something from someone

It is with care and respect that the borrower handles them

If the borrowed object was damaged by the borrower

Just compensation is expected if the damage was intentional.

In Proverbs 22:7, it says that the borrower is slave to the lender. There is truth to this because when we use someone else’s property, we ought to take care of it while we are using it. Same goes when we borrow money, we ought to responsibly pay it back. The lender must not enslave the borrower with very high interest rates if they are to honor the laws of the Lord. These laws teach us boundaries and how to honor other people’s possessions. It teaches us to be responsible for those things that do not belong to us and also to honor the oaths and agreements we take. Integrity is key in lending and borrowing. Ps 37:21 says “The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.” The word of God is clear that when something is borrowed it should be paid back. Someone refusing to repay manifests a wicked heart. God wants us to have a generous and giving heart.

REFLECTION

  • How is it dangerous to lend something to someone wicked and untrustworthy?

EXODUS 22 CONSEQUENCES OF THEFT

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July 3

EXODUS 22

“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. 2 If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, 3 but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. Heshall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.5 “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard.6 “If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution. 7 “If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man’s house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. 8 If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property.  – Exodus 22:1-8

EXODUS 22 CONSEQUENCES OF THEFT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God commanded us not to steal someone else’s possession

This is a boundary that brings order and leads to a good relation

When one takes what does not belong to him, he violates that boundary

The thief must be able to pay back what he stole if found guilty.

According to a commentary by Guzik, the Mosaic law does not send a person to jail because of theft. Instead, they are required to pay what he stole plus additional penalties. Another commentary from Kaiser says: In this passage, the penalty could be anywhere from 500% (he shall restore five oxen for an ox) to 200% (he shall restore double). “The reason for the fivefold penalty in the case of stealing an ox is probably because one man stole the means of another man’s livelihood. The principle would extend to taking any of the man’s plowing or cultivating implements.”

God commands us not to steal in Exodus 20:15 and 17. During those times, animals were the source of their livelihood. These laws were probably designed for the judges to implement the proper restitution for the damage of the theft.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God prohibits us from stealing? What does it do to us?