How does Exodus 22:1 relate to the restitution principle in Proverbs 6:31? Setting the Scene: Two Key Texts • Exodus 22:1 — “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.” • Proverbs 6:30-31 — “Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if caught, he must repay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.” God’s Heart Behind Restitution • Property rights come from God (Exodus 20:15). • Restitution protects victims and promotes justice (Leviticus 6:1-5; Numbers 5:6-7). • Multiples deter repeat offenses and teach responsibility. • Restoration, not mere punishment, is the goal (Luke 19:8-9). Exodus 22:1 – The Pentateuch Pattern • Four- or five-fold repayment, depending on the livestock’s value and use. • Emphasizes proportional justice—larger loss, larger repayment. • Highlights the serious breach of covenant community life when one steals. Proverbs 6:31 – Wisdom’s Echo • Sevenfold is a proverbial way of saying “to the fullest extent.” • Even hunger does not cancel accountability; compassion for need does not override justice. • The entire household wealth may be at stake—sin costs more than the item taken. Putting the Passages Together • Same principle, different settings: – Exodus gives case law for judges; Proverbs gives general wisdom for daily life. – Both assume literal, tangible repayment beyond the original value. • Restitution scales with severity: – Livestock (source of income) → four or five times. – Bread-thief (basic need) → up to everything he owns. • Shared theological thread: stealing violates God’s order; restitution restores order and teaches the thief to value what others own. Practical Takeaways for Today • True repentance includes active restoration (Ephesians 4:28). • Justice must protect victims and aim to reclaim offenders, not merely penalize. • When wronged, believers can seek restoration without vengeance, trusting God’s standard. • When we wrong others, we should go beyond mere apologies and make tangible amends, reflecting God’s righteous character. |
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