82_A God of justice Ex 22:1-4 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, 3 but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double. A young man once broke into a small bakery late at night. He found only a few dollars in the till, since the shop was struggling. As he turned to escape, he knocked over a set of shelves, tripped and fell. The noise was heard by the owner, who called the police. The thief was caught. In court, the bakery owner refused to press for a jail sentence, but asked that the young man work in the shop for six months as restitution. This is the heart of God’s principles in dealing with theft and swindling, in Exodus 22:1-4. The foundational commandment, "You shall not steal," is expanded upon in these verses. Firstly, the law acknowledges that human life is more valuable than property. A thief breaking in at night may be met with force, even lethal force, because the darkness obscures his intentions, and the homeowner has no other recourse. However, if the theft happens in daylight, the thief's life is to be spared. This principle stands in sharp contrast to a world where people are often treated as expendable in the pursuit of wealth. Corporates prioritize profit over safety, and financial gain over health or life itself. God's justice emphasizes the opposite priorities, reminding us that people cannot be sacrificed on the altar of greed. Secondly, theft is a crime against property but also a violation of trust and a burden on the community that has to provide justice. It threatens society and harms the victim. God commands that stolen goods be repaid multiple times over, depending on the nature of the theft. This principle of restitution goes beyond punishment—it is meant to restore justice and deter wrongdoing. This highlights God's concern for character rather than just outward actions. The punishment must set things right and not just acknowledge sin. This standard of justice reflects God's own righteousness, where sin carries consequences, but grace provides abundant restoration. Another key principle is the responsibility of stewardship. People are held accountable for anything that they borrow or are entrusted with. Carelessness and negligence are punishable. God is a faithful caretaker who neither neglects nor wastes what has been place in his care. Psalm 121:4 declares that the Lord neither slumbers nor sleeps; He is always watching over His people. In contrast, when King Ahab allowed his enemy, Ben-hadad, to go free, God rebuked him for his negligence, for it would harm his people in the future.