_______(5) Mosaic Law Highlights

MOSAIC LAW SELECTIONS

Let’s now consider Exodus 22:7-9: “7 “If a man gives his fellow man money or articles to keep and these are stolen from the fellow man’s house, if the thief is found, he must make double compensation. 8 If the thief is not found, the owner of the house must be brought before the true God in order to determine whether he put his hand on the goods of his fellow man. 9 In all cases of illegal possession of goods, concerning a bull, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or anything lost of which he may say, ‘This is mine!’ both parties will present their case before the true God. The one whom God pronounces guilty is to make double compensation to his fellow man.”

BUILT ON TRUST. Verse 7 In this case, what relief on the part of the one who was keeping the goods, if the thief is found, thus clearing up any doubt as to his trustworthiness toward his neighbor. Yes, God’s new world is to be one built on faith and trust in God and in one another! In this case, the thief was to make only double compensation, as there was enough evidence to identify him, or he was willing to confess his error.

GOD'S POWER TO KNOW. Verses 8,9 Recall this was GOD'S law, and these were HIS people. God could easily know who stole the items, so if the thief is not found, then verses 8 and 9 move on to determine whether the trusted fellow man took the goods for himself, claiming that they were stolen. Like the thief in the first instance, this man also is acting as if God cannot see what happened. In this case, the goods went from being legally possessed by another, to being illegally possessed by someone. In this matter of “illegal possession of goods,” each one must now present their case “before the true God.” Then God makes known his decision as to the guilty one, who is also to make only double compensation, and hopefully come to realize God’s power to see and read hearts and minds.

FAITH IN THE REWARDER. May we thus walk in full faith in God’s ability to see what we do, and reward us for our good activity before Him! We need such faith in the true God, Jehovah. Hebrews 11, sometimes called the “faith chapter,” says in verse 6: “Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” God chooses to know and listen to humble, right-hearted ones more than those proudly ignoring Him, or practicing badness. Psalm 138:6 says “6 Though Jehovah is high, he takes note of the humble, But the haughty he knows only from a distance.” And Proverbs 15:29 says “29 Jehovah is far away from the ungodly, But he hears the prayer of the upright.”

STAY CLOSE TO GOD. May we stay close to God, and appreciate the great privilege of speaking with the Sovereign of the Universe by means of the communication called “prayer!” We need only use God’s name, Jehovah, seek to acknowledge His will or interests, and then convey to Him our thanks and personal concerns, concluding our pleas or prayers in the name of Jesus. Thus we recognize the Model prayer Jesus gave His followers at Matthew 6:9-13, and his words for instance at John 15:16, showing that as we seek to please God, He desires to give what we ask—what we’re needing. (1John 5:14). Clearly, we should look to God for what we desire in life, waiting on Him to lovingly guide and care for us, avoiding any form of envy or jealousy over what others may have or receive. By avoiding being jealous of others, we avoid the consequences of, according to James 3:16, “disorder and every vile [or, unworthy] thing.” Who needs that in their life??? None of us! Therefore, have compassion for others, and according to Romans 12, “15 Rejoice with those who rejoice...” Try to be happy for the good that may come to others, and look to God to provide for your needs and wants, trusting Him to know what’s best for us.

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MOSAIC LAW

MOSAIC LAW SELECTIONS

Let’s now consider Exodus 22:10-13: “10 “If a man gives his fellow man a donkey or a bull or a sheep or any domestic animal to keep and it dies or gets maimed or gets led away while nobody is looking, 11 there should be an oath made between them before Jehovah, that he did not lay his hand on the goods of his fellow man; and the owner must accept it. The other man is not to make compensation. 12 But if the animal has been stolen from him, he is to make compensation to its owner. 13 If it was torn by a wild animal, he is to bring it as evidence. He is not to make compensation for something torn by a wild animal.”

AN OATH BETWEEN NEIGHBORS. Verse 10-11 Here we have another instance where a possession of one person enters into the care of another. This law involves just animals, which of course, as opposed to cash money or some material object, can be more subject to outside influences, such as other animals while grazing, etc. If something should happen to the animal outside of the control of the keeper of it, then an oath was to be made between the two neighbors, that the man did nothing to harm or take his fellow man’s property, and no compensation for the animal was necessary in this instance. Of course, this "oath" was not to be taken lightly, just to get out of responsibility for the animal. Among the seven things that God's word says Jehovah HATES, are both a "lying tongue" and a person that becomes a "false witness who lies with every breath." (Prove 6:16-19). Certainly God can know the truth and hold someone accountable for any such lie or false oath. So why not own up to the mistake, speak the truth, and look to God for help to provide whatever is necessary to make amends or to remedy the problem.

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. Verse 12-13 Here we find what God’s view is if an animal is stolen, but there is no evidence to enable the thief to be found, to require compensation from him/her. Evidently, in this instance, the keeper of the animal was to make compensation, likely from one of his own animals. Thus, responsibility for holding something of a person temporarily was to be taken seriously, with a willingness to compensate for it if it is stolen and the thief is not found. However, God’s law was reasonable, so that other things that may happen to it outside of the person’s control, usually required no compensation—only the person’s oath before God that they sought no harm to the animal. Such was the case when the creature was torn by a wild animal and killed. The evidence of this still needed to be presented. Of course, God would hold a person accountable for a false oath, as He hates a “lying tongue” (Prove 6:16,17).

FAIR AND REASONABLE. Clearly, the Mosaic Law promoted fairness and reasonableness, taking various circumstances under consideration in the judgement to be rendered. Likewise, Philippians 4:5 says “5 Let your reasonableness become known to all men...” Yes, while God has some laws which we must respect and keep, even as true Christians, primarily Christianity involves acknowledging principles of truth in the awe of God, learning to hate what he hates, and loving what is good. For instance, loving God then others as oneself, while a command, helps us do the right thing for others without requiring a lengthy list of do’s and dont’s. May we continue to practice the law of love in our dealings with God and others, seeking their eternal welfare and happiness in harmony with God’s delightful will!