Numbers 5:5-7 (ESV)

Originally published 07/24/2015

In our human system of justice a thief would be required to return what was stolen and be put in jail to satisfy the law. God is more concerned with restoring relationships that are broken when theft occurs: "When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong" Numbers 5:5-7 (ESV). Stealing breaks one’s relationship with God and the person who has lost property. Both relationships must be restored to settle the issue as far as God is concerned. The thief confesses to God that he did not trust God to provide for him, and now he expresses his faith in God by giving back what he had stolen plus 20%. Now the thief is materially worse off and must depend even more on God to provide than before, and the person who was wronged has a 20% profit.  Lord, help me to treat people the way you have commanded so my relationship with you will not be broken. I realize that I cannot have a good relationship with you if my relationships with people are bad.

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