What is the meaning of Exodus 23:4? If you encounter “When you come across…” (Exodus 23:4) sets the scene: God speaks to ordinary moments along the road. • This is not a special mission; it is an unexpected interruption. • The Lord expects His people to notice what lies in front of them (James 4:17). • The Good Samaritan similarly “came upon” the wounded man (Luke 10:33), showing how chance meetings reveal hearts. • By addressing the moment of encounter, God removes the excuse of ignorance—once you see the need, you are responsible. your enemy’s The animal belongs to someone who opposes or dislikes you. • Proverbs 25:21-22 urges kindness to enemies, echoed by Jesus in Matthew 5:44. • God refuses to let personal hostility cancel moral duty (Romans 12:20). • Loving an enemy is not sentimental; it is choosing obedience over resentment. stray ox or donkey Livestock were the engines of ancient agriculture. Losing one threatened a family’s livelihood. • The law is practical and literal: real animals, real property (Exodus 22:1). • Deuteronomy 22:1-4 broadens the principle to “anything your brother loses,” underscoring respect for another’s belongings. • Jesus assumes the same value when He asks, “Which of you… will not immediately pull out his son or ox that has fallen into a well?” (Luke 14:5). • The text shows God cares about economic justice and everyday fairness. you must return it to him The command is direct and personal. • “Must” leaves no loophole; restitution is mandatory, not optional (Micah 6:8). • Returning what is lost turns an enemy into a neighbor, breaking the cycle of hostility (Leviticus 19:18). • Active good overcomes evil (Romans 12:21), modeling the spirit of “See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good” (1 Thessalonians 5:15). • The act protects both parties: the owner’s livelihood is restored, and the finder’s conscience remains clear. summary Exodus 23:4 literally commands God’s people to give back a lost animal even when it belongs to an enemy. The verse teaches alertness to need, refusal to let animosity dictate behavior, respect for others’ property, and a proactive commitment to good. Obedience in small, everyday moments becomes a powerful testimony of God’s righteousness and transforms enemies into recipients of grace. |
    |