“If someone steals an ox or sheep and then kills or sells it, the thief must pay back five oxen for each ox stolen, and four sheep for each sheep stolen.”

Exodus 22:1 (NLT)

Today we look at practical laws concerning the control of animals, theft, arson, and care for the possessions of others. A strong current of restitution runs through these commandments. Restitution is often neglected in our society. If people admit their guilt, they may apologize, but they often do little to put things right.
Consider these laws of restitution:

• If your ox gored your neighbor’s slave to death, then you paid your neighbor 30 pieces of silver.
• If you dug a pit and your neighbor’s animal fell into it and died, then you paid your neighbor for the dead animal.
• If you stole an ox, you would have to restore five oxen.
• If your animal grazed in your neighbor’s field, then you made restitution from the best of your field.
• If you started a fire, then you made restitution for what was destroyed.
• If you borrowed an animal from your neighbor, and it got sick or died, then you would have to make it good.

We can apply the principle of restitution to other offenses that may hit closer to home. For example, if you have spoken against your neighbor behind his back, and later discover that you misjudged him, do you make restitution by going to the people you’ve spoken to, admitting your fault, and restoring your neighbor’s reputation?

The universal principle is that if we know we have offended someone, we should take pains to put things right. Telling your neighbor, “I’m sorry,” is a start, but it isn’t enough. “What can I do to put this right?” would be a good follow-up question. Then make sure you do it. This is costly, but it is well worth the sacrifice to care for our relationships.

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