Exodus 22:1-5
The Ten Commandments said, “Thou shalt not steal.” The commandment did not prevent people from stealing, but it did define it as wrong. By taking something from a person one deprives him of the benefits of having that item. Justice requires that the victim be compensated for his loss. God gave specific guidelines as to how compensation was to be made.
“If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.” (Exodus 22:1)
The thief was required to pay both for the item stolen and any benefits that might accrue due to it’s loss. A sheep would produce wool and other lambs for several years, so the thief would be assessed a debt of four times the cost of a sheep for having deprived the owner of those things. An ox was used for pulling a cart or plowing and the loss was greater, so the thief needed to pay back five times the cost of an ox. Compare the justice of such a system with the American system where a thief can steal a car, wreck it, spend a few months in prison or pay a fine and be set free while the owner has to buy theft insurance, and will never be reimbursed for lost earnings or wasted time looking for a replacement. It is system where Bernie Madoff can steal billions of dollars that would have provided people with an ongoing income, pay a fine and go to prison, but his wife and children get to keep part of the money he stole to live on. Under God’s system, it was much cheaper to buy your own sheep than to steal them. Under the American system crime appears to pay rather well, despite the old saying that “Crime doesn’t pay.” No wonder we never seem to reduce the amount of crime.
“If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.” (Exodus 22:2-4)
Killing a thief in self defense, when he was breaking in during the night entailed no penalty. However if the attempt was during the day when one could see to avoid killing the intruder, the death penalty was to be imposed. In other words, killing was to be avoided if possible, even in stopping a crime. If the thief were unable to pay the specified restitution, he was to be sold as a slave for enough to pay his debt. If the item was found and restored immediately, he still had to pay double for having stolen it.
In the United States, we constantly hear that a person who has served his sentence for a crime has paid his debt to society. I suspect that this attitude is a major factor in our present level of crime. Criminals, courts and political leaders view crime as being against some faceless and impersonal society, rather than against a specific person. As a result, in our criminal “justice” system, the victim is largely ignored. Defense attorneys fight to keep it that way as it increases their chances of winning a case. Politicians love it because the judgments and fines can be funneled to government coffers rather than needing to be given to the victims.
Unfortunately, for the victim, and his family, it is a very personal matter. It was their family member who was killed or their car that was stolen. Most habitual criminals do not consider the victim at all except as a target. Serial killers and mass murderers often view their victims as inferior people who need to be destroyed. Only when we begin to recognize crime as a personal matter will crime levels begin to be significantly reduced.
The Ten Commandments said, “Thou shalt not steal.” The commandment did not prevent people from stealing, but it did define it as wrong. By taking something from a person one deprives him of the benefits of having that item. Justice requires that the victim be compensated for his loss. God gave specific guidelines as to how compensation was to be made.
“If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.” (Exodus 22:1)
The thief was required to pay both for the item stolen and any benefits that might accrue due to it’s loss. A sheep would produce wool and other lambs for several years, so the thief would be assessed a debt of four times the cost of a sheep for having deprived the owner of those things. An ox was used for pulling a cart or plowing and the loss was greater, so the thief needed to pay back five times the cost of an ox. Compare the justice of such a system with the American system where a thief can steal a car, wreck it, spend a few months in prison or pay a fine and be set free while the owner has to buy theft insurance, and will never be reimbursed for lost earnings or wasted time looking for a replacement. It is system where Bernie Madoff can steal billions of dollars that would have provided people with an ongoing income, pay a fine and go to prison, but his wife and children get to keep part of the money he stole to live on. Under God’s system, it was much cheaper to buy your own sheep than to steal them. Under the American system crime appears to pay rather well, despite the old saying that “Crime doesn’t pay.” No wonder we never seem to reduce the amount of crime.
“If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.” (Exodus 22:2-4)
Killing a thief in self defense, when he was breaking in during the night entailed no penalty. However if the attempt was during the day when one could see to avoid killing the intruder, the death penalty was to be imposed. In other words, killing was to be avoided if possible, even in stopping a crime. If the thief were unable to pay the specified restitution, he was to be sold as a slave for enough to pay his debt. If the item was found and restored immediately, he still had to pay double for having stolen it.
In the United States, we constantly hear that a person who has served his sentence for a crime has paid his debt to society. I suspect that this attitude is a major factor in our present level of crime. Criminals, courts and political leaders view crime as being against some faceless and impersonal society, rather than against a specific person. As a result, in our criminal “justice” system, the victim is largely ignored. Defense attorneys fight to keep it that way as it increases their chances of winning a case. Politicians love it because the judgments and fines can be funneled to government coffers rather than needing to be given to the victims.
Unfortunately, for the victim, and his family, it is a very personal matter. It was their family member who was killed or their car that was stolen. Most habitual criminals do not consider the victim at all except as a target. Serial killers and mass murderers often view their victims as inferior people who need to be destroyed. Only when we begin to recognize crime as a personal matter will crime levels begin to be significantly reduced.
I don't mean to sound like a pessimist, but the American jusitce system seems beyond repair. The perfect court of God's justice that will eventually supercede all other court systems under Christ's rule is much longed for and needed. Sometimes it seems like a bad joke when you read about our justice system at work. Victims are further victimized and the guilty party often receives far less than their crime would imply.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, nothing is beyond God's power. Our system has become just another way of making money. Only if we see a change in attitude will conditions change, and that will entail letting the Holy Spirit have his way. It will have to start with those of us who recognize the need letting God have his way in our lives. Until we are willing, we should not expect significant change.
ReplyDelete