Stealing

When a man steals an ox or a sheep and butchers it or sells it, he must repay five cattle for the ox or four sheep for the sheep. If a thief is caught in the act of breaking in, and he is beaten to death, no one is giluty of bloodshed. But if this happens after sunrise, there is guilt of bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution. If he is unable, he is to be sold because of his theft. If what was stolen-whether ox, donkey, or sheep- is actually found alive in his possession, he must repay double. Exodus 22:1-4

Oh for the simple life again. To see a thief be liable to repay what he has stolen and more besides, if not becoming indentured until he works off his debt, how many would learn not to do it again? If a thief is beaten to death while breaking in and the liability being on the thief's head and not the victim, how good would that be?

We have made sin so palatable. In Australian aborigine culture the offender, in some places, is dealt with by the tribe and must face those he injures. Many a community would love to deal with the villains who rob them. How would it be if they had to repay four and five times what he stole?

Our laws have drifted so far away from true justice. In some places if the victim beats the thief, they get jailed. How stupid Is that?

In the 10 commandments we are told not to steal, it is a sin against our neighbour. Jesus told us that even to covert our neighbour's good is sin, not just the taking. We conveniently forget that bit.

Stealing comes from a slack attitude that believes I can take what I want. I can't! I must put my faith in God and trust Him! Amen!