Having outlined the 10 core values of Jewish society - values about respect of God, respect of self, and respect of neighbours' life and possession, Moses now enters a discussion of what these values look like in society when they are lived out.
Today's passage illustrates how possessions are respected.
Of course, we don't live in a world of oxen and slaves. But we do have cars, and people we may be responsible for at home and at work. How would these examples "translate" in our culture?
First, notice that when someone causes loss of another's property, it is necessary to make restitution.
Second, when the loss is cause by ill-intention like theft, the penalty is doubled.
Third, no one gets to take the law into their own hands by killing a thief, unless it was dark and the death was accidental.
Finally, when there is dispute as to ownership and the value of possessions, the parties will enlist the help of an impartial judge to resolve the dispute.
These "examples" follow a developing pattern: that
1. conflict is inevitable when people live together,
2. there needs to be a fair way to resolve conflicts, and
3. an impartial "judge" is often needed to help with the process.
Write
Think about your faith story: how have you been impacted by the loss possession - as one who caused a loss and one who suffered a loss? How was restitution made? Was it "fair"?
In your life presently, what possessions are most dear to you? How do you keep them "safe"? What valued possessions have you lost? Who owes you restitution?
To whom do you owe resitution?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about your experience with restitution. Thank God for his grace and mercy in forgiving you of an unrepayable debt, when he has such a high demand of repayment.
Pray about your possessions - both present and lost. Thank God for them, and entrust them into God's care. And pray for the people who owe you restitution, and ask God for wisdom for appropriate repayment or forgiveness.
Pray for the people to whom you owe restitution Pray for the wisdom and and grace to know how to repair the relationship through appropriate restituion.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he forgives your debt, and the way he helps you to forgive the debts of others.