How can we apply the principle of restitution in our lives today? Setting the Scene in 2 Samuel 21 “So the king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the Israelites and Judah.)” (2 Samuel 21:2) • Israel had entered a covenant with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9). Saul broke it, shedding innocent blood. • God sent a famine to press the nation to deal with the unresolved wrong. • David sought the Lord, located the offense, and initiated restitution. What Restitution Meant Then • Exodus 22:1—stolen livestock repaid four- or five-fold. • Leviticus 6:4-5; Numbers 5:7—full repayment plus 20 percent. • Restitution was tangible, prompt, and proportional. It included confession, repayment, and, when required, sacrifice. Why Restitution Still Matters • God’s moral order has not changed; “Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love” (Romans 13:8). • Jesus commends it: “First go and be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:23-24). • The early church practiced it: Zacchaeus offered four-fold repayment (Luke 19:8). • Restitution preserves conscience, repairs trust, and honors the God of justice and mercy. Practical Steps for Personal Restitution 1. Seek the Lord for clarity, as David did (2 Samuel 21:1). 2. Identify the specific wrong—property, money, reputation, relationship. 3. Confess plainly to the offended party (Numbers 5:7). 4. Repay in full, adding extra where appropriate to show sincerity. 5. Where direct payment is impossible, give equivalently to benefit the wronged (e.g., a charity in their name). 6. Keep records clear; aim for “things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men” (2 Corinthians 8:21). Restitution in Relationships • Many injuries are emotional or relational rather than financial. • Offer what heals: time, service, public acknowledgment of fault, private empathy, changed behavior (Ephesians 4:28, 31-32). • Replace what was taken—trust—by consistent, humble integrity over time. Restitution and Material Loss • If you owe money, pay it promptly with interest where just. • If you damaged property, repair or replace it at equal or better quality. • If you benefited from piracy, plagiarism, or unpaid debts, make it right. Restoring Reputations and Words • Slander or gossip steals honor. Return it publicly. • State the truth where you spread falsehood. • Guard your tongue going forward (Proverbs 28:13; James 3:9-10). Corporate and Generational Restitution • Families, churches, or organizations may need to acknowledge past wrongs, as David did for Saul’s house. • Public confession, corrective policies, and tangible aid to those harmed express biblical justice (Isaiah 1:17). The Gospel, Our Model • “He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 2:2). • Christ paid a debt He did not owe; His people, forgiven, gladly repay debts they do owe. • Restitution becomes a living witness to the cross—justice satisfied, mercy displayed. Living It Out This Week • Review recent transactions, conversations, and online activity for anything unfair. • List names of anyone you have wronged; start with the simplest restitution today. • Schedule a meeting, write a letter, make the transfer—do not delay. • Celebrate God’s faithfulness each time you close a debt, and walk in the freedom He gives. |
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