How does Exodus 22:15 guide us in resolving disputes over borrowed items? Setting the scene In Exodus 22 God gives Israel practical guidelines for everyday life. Verses 14–15 address what happens when something is borrowed and damaged. These instructions still illuminate how we handle borrowed property today. Key verse Exodus 22:15: “If its owner was with it, he shall not make restitution. If it was hired, it came for its hire.” Principle 1: accountability depends on presence • When the owner is present, the risk is shared; the borrower is released from liability. • The owner’s supervision signals consent to any ordinary use or hazard (cf. Amos 3:3). • Modern parallel: if you loan a tool while standing there to help, you implicitly accept normal wear and tear. Principle 2: responsibility when the owner is absent • Verse 14 (immediately before) states the borrower must pay if damage occurs while the owner is away. • Scripture consistently ties stewardship to personal responsibility (Proverbs 27:18; Luke 16:10). Principle 3: fair compensation through prior agreement • “If it was hired, it came for its hire.” A rental fee includes potential loss. • Clear terms up front prevent future conflict (Matthew 5:37; Ecclesiastes 5:5). • Today: written agreements, insurance, or deposits fulfill this biblical pattern of pre-agreed compensation. Principle 4: honoring your neighbor’s property • Respecting another’s goods reflects love for neighbor (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:10). • Those who borrow must treat the item as if it were their own—or better (Philippians 2:4). • Failing to return or repair is called wickedness (Psalm 37:21). Putting it into practice 1. Define the arrangement clearly: Is the item borrowed or rented? What is acceptable use? 2. Note who will be present: If the owner stays, liability shifts. 3. Agree on remedies: replacement, repair, or coverage through fees. 4. Communicate immediately if damage occurs; hiding loss compounds sin (Proverbs 28:13). 5. Settle promptly to preserve fellowship (Romans 12:18). New Testament echoes • “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). • “Pay everyone what you owe him” (Romans 13:7). The moral principle behind Exodus 22:15 continues unchanged. heart attitudes behind the law God’s command safeguards trust within the community. When we borrow, we display honesty, humility, and care; when we lend, we extend grace and clarity. Observing these truths keeps relationships whole and brings glory to the Lord who owns all things (Psalm 24:1). |
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