What other biblical passages reinforce the concept of restitution found in Exodus 22:14? Restitution in Exodus 22:14 • “If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, he must make full restitution.” (Exodus 22:14) • God’s standard: loss that occurs under my watch, even by accident, is my responsibility to repay in full. Parallel Commands in the Law • 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.” • Exodus 22:5-6 — Restitution for damage caused by grazing animals or accidental fire. • Exodus 21:33-34 — If someone’s animal falls into an uncovered pit, “the owner of the pit must pay restitution; he must give money to its owner, and the dead animal will be his.” • Leviticus 6:4-5 — “When he thus sins and becomes guilty, he must restore what he took… add a fifth of its value, and give it to the owner.” • Numbers 5:6-7 — Confession is paired with “full restitution, plus one-fifth more.” • Deuteronomy 22:1-3 — Found property must be kept safe and returned; neglecting to restore is treated as wrongdoing. Historical Narratives that Model Restitution • 2 Samuel 12:6 — Nathan declares that the offender “must pay for the lamb fourfold,” echoing Exodus 22:1. • Job 42:10 — After Job prays for his friends, “the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” God Himself practices restoration. • Nehemiah 5:11-12 — The governor commands, “Return to them this very day their fields… and the hundredth part of the money,” and the leaders comply. Prophetic and Wisdom Reminders • Proverbs 6:30-31 — “A thief… must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.” • Ezekiel 33:15-16 — If the wicked “restore the pledge, repay what he has taken by robbery… none of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him.” New-Testament Echoes • Luke 19:8 — Zacchaeus: “If I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will repay four times the amount.” Jesus affirms the response. • Matthew 5:23-24 — Before worship, make things right with a brother—reconciliation is inseparable from genuine faith. • Philemon 18-19 — Paul offers, “If he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, charge it to me… I will repay it.” Key Takeaways • God’s justice requires that losses caused by our actions—or negligence—be made good. • Restitution is not optional; it is woven through Law, History, Prophets, Wisdom, and Gospel. • True repentance shows itself in concrete, measurable restoration. • By honoring restitution, believers mirror the character of the One who “restores the years the locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). |
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