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MAKING RESTITUTION
FRIDAY, APRIL 19
Leviticus 6

Matthew 5:38-42

 

“Speak unto the children of Israel,
and say unto them, If any man of you

bring an offering unto the LORD…”

 

MAKING RESTITUTION

 

From the sin of ignorance, God transits to the wilful sin. It is noted that the sin of ignorance was confined mainly to the sins committed against God. In Leviticus 6, wilful sins were deliberate transgressions against both man and God. This is stated clearly in Leviticus 6:2-3: “If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein.” Based upon the Ten Commandments given to Israel, their relationship with one another was elevated to a divine level. When they sinned against man, it was also a sin against God. This means that their repentance must be at two levels.
 
Having brought their required offerings to the LORD, they had to also make restitutions to the person they sinned against. An apology without consequence would not suffice. Once caught, they had to return what was stolen and give an additional 20 percent (or one fifth) of what was taken. This penalty was just and fair. It would discourage stealing. The law was not meant to overly penalise the sinner. In today’s legal system, sometimes the prosecutor may ask the judge to overly punish the criminal to set an example so that others will not commit the same crime. This is foolish reasoning. If this reasoning is accepted, then cutting off hands for stealing will be the logical outcome. The sinful nature of man makes him a bond servant of sin whereby he cannot stop himself from sinning regardless of the punishment. Enforcing an extreme penalty will not prevent future crimes from being committed. Only believing in Christ will, for in Christ he is given a new heart. He will stop his criminal activities instantly. The judicial system is to mete out just justice, not extreme justice. This holds true in the church’s disciplinary standard as well. Every discipline must be for the purpose of restoration and be just and fair to God’s glory.
 
MEMORISATION: Leviticus 1:4
PRAYER: Help me, Father, to be just in my judgment of others to Thy glory and the blessing of Thy people, in Christ’s Name. Amen.

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