What does "make restitution for what he has failed to do" teach us? Context of the Command “He must make restitution for the wrongdoing he has committed regarding the holy things, add a fifth to the value, and give it to the priest. Then the priest will make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and he will be forgiven.” • The instruction sits in the “guilt offering” section (Leviticus 5–6), dealing with sins that caused loss or damage either to the LORD’s sanctuary or to other people. • Unlike the burnt or sin offerings that addressed guilt before God, the guilt offering required tangible repayment—because sin often brings measurable loss. What Restitution Means • “Restitution” = putting back what was lost plus 20 percent (“add a fifth”). • God demanded more than an apology; He demanded concrete repair. • The extra fifth showed that grace should go beyond bare minimums (cf. Luke 19:8). Sins of Omission Count • The wording targets what a person “failed to do,” not only what he actively did. • James 4:17 echoes this principle: “If anyone knows the right thing to do but fails to do it, he is guilty of sin.” • Neglecting worship obligations, withholding tithes (Malachi 3:8-10), or ignoring a neighbor’s need (Proverbs 3:27) all require accountability. God’s Heart Revealed • Holiness is practical. God links devotion to ethical action. • Wronging “the holy things” dishonors the LORD directly (Leviticus 5:15) and calls for immediate correction. • Restitution restores fellowship—first vertically (atonement) and then horizontally (payment). Practical Takeaways Today • Examine both commissions and omissions. Ask, “Where have I fallen short in duties to God or people?” • True repentance includes concrete steps: – Admit the specific failure (1 John 1:9). – Repair the loss where possible (Ephesians 4:28). – Go beyond the bare minimum—generosity is a mark of renewed hearts (Matthew 5:40-42). • Worship and ethics remain inseparable. Giving, serving, and reconciling are all “holy things” the Lord values. Christ, Our Perfect Restitution • Every guilt offering foreshadowed Jesus: “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). • At the cross He paid the full debt we accrued—and more. Grace “adds the fifth,” supplying righteousness we never rendered (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Because He made ultimate restitution, believers are freed and empowered to practice earthly restitution as a grateful response. Living It Out • Keep short accounts: as soon as you recognize a lapse, address it. • Build habits of proactive generosity so that restitution becomes a lifestyle, not a crisis measure. • Remember: forgiving grace never diminishes the call to tangible justice; it enables and enriches it. |
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