IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1.The word “Restitution” is found in the following passages;
Exodus 22:1-14 - Whatever was stolen had to be paid back at 4 or 5 times the value of what was stolen. Note esp. v.9 where stolen goods are found in one's possession “the one whom the judges find guilty must pay back double”
Leviticus ; 6:5 ; In this case what was stolen had to be returned to the owner plus a fifth of it's value.
Leviticus 22:14; The same was true of an offering eaten by mistake.
Leviticus 24:18-21; restitution to be made life for life; eye for eye, etc
Numbers 5:7-8. Full restitution plus a fifth of the value of the item involved had to be paid back. If the wronged one or a close relative cannot be found then it was the Lord's and had to be given to the priest.
2. Other passages where the same principle is referred to are:
Nehemiah 5:1-11 - Upon hearing the complaints of the poorer Israelites that the wealthier ones were taking advantage of them by charging usury and thus making them sell their lands and their children into slavery, Nehemiah says to the wealthy, ” Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them…”
1 Samuel 12:3 - Samuel says to Israel, “If I have done any of these (taken goods or oppressed or cheated any one), I will make it right ”
2 Samuel 12: 6 David upon hearing Nathan's parable of the man who stole the ewe lamb from the poor man says “ As surely as the Lord lives this man deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb 4 times over … “
1 Kings 20: 32-34 Ben Hadad's life spared after he offered to return the cities his father had taken from Ahab's father.
Ezekiel 18: 7+12- Returning what was taken in pledge a mark of a righteous man and vice versa.
Ezekiel 33: 15 If the wicked man turns away from his sin and does what is just and right .. (i.e. “if he gives back what he took in pledge and returns what was stolen..”)
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Luke 19:2-10 The word “Restitution does not appear in the New Testament. However the clearest example of this idea is in the story of Zaccheus. For an excellent teaching on this text refer to the tape of Craig Botha's message called “The Zaccheus Project”, preached at the Jubilee Summit - “Issues facing Christians today” in 1994. (Available on request.)
There are many other references to settling disputes and repaying debts and these are used by Jesus in various ways. The first relevant to us is to illustrate the urgency of dealing with a legitimate complaint :
(Matt.5:23-26- “ if you are offering your gift on the altar and there remember your brother has something against you, leave your gift in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters QUICKLY* with your adversary who is taking you to court…”)
The other teaching that Jesus gave that is relevant to restitution is one to illustrate the danger of an unforgiving heart in Matt.18: 21-35. Here the big question for each of us – both the advantaged and the disadvantaged in South Africa is have we understood the magnitude of the huge debt that God has forgiven us after we came to Him in our need. And are we then quibbling over having to bring relief to those who now come to us in their need?
In James 5 : 1-6 , there is a very strong condemnation spoken against those wealthy ones who have exploited their poor labourers by not paying them the wages they deserve. Here however a far worse fate than having to deal with the anger of the underpaid workers is contemplated. It is the awe-full wrath of the champion and avenger of those deprived, “ the Lord Almighty” that they are coming to.
Finally, in the matter of repayment of debts owed in the New Testament, Romans 13:8 sounds an excellent note wherewith to complete this study on Restitution:
“Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another”.
[ * my own emphasis] |