The Book of the Covenant--Part III

As we continue our journey through the Book of the Covenant in the Book of Exodus, in this blog, we will make some comments on Sections 4 and 5: Exodus 21:28-22:15.

Section 4--Exodus 21:28-22:4--Instructions concerning the behavior and value of livestock. Here there are four statutes.
1. An ox may kill a human being. Several possibilities may exist. If an ox has gored a human being and killed that person, the ox must be put to death. If an ox has gored a person and its owner has been warned, if that ox kills a person, the ox and its owner shall be put to death. If a ransom is imposed on the owner, the owner must pay the fine. 21:28-32.
2. If an ox or a donkey falls into an open pit, the owner of the pit must make proper restitution to the owner of the livestock. 21:33-34.
3. If an ox gores another ox and that ox dies, the two owners will divide the price. If an ox is accustomed to gore and its owner is warned, and that ox kills another ox, the owner of the dead ox receives the entire amount of the live ox. 21:35-36.
4. There are several laws in this area pertaining to theft or robbery. If a thief steals an ox or a sheep, that thief must repay 5 oxen for each ox and 4 sheep for each sheep. If a thief who steals an ox or a sheep is caught, the thief must pay double. If a thief cannot pay the debt, the owner will sell the thief into slavery. If a farmer kills a thief attempting to steal an ox or a sheep at night, there is no punishment for the farmer. But if the farmer kills the thief during the daylight, the farmer is to be punished. 22:1-4.

Section 5--Exodus 22:5-15--Instructions concerning Restitution--Here there are five statutes guarding against excessive or unfair loss of property.
1. Individuals who harvest products in fields of another person or who allow their livestock feed in those fields or is responsible for starting a fire in those fields must pay proper restitution. 22:5-6.
2. If a person agrees to take care of a neighbor's property while that person is away, and a thief seizes some of this property, if the thief is caught, the thief must pay double; if the thief is not caught, the two must appear before a court, and the court will decide whether the person taking care of his neighbor's property is at fault or not. 22:7-8.
3. If there is a dispute as to whether this or that person is an owner of some possession, the court must decide who is guilty. The guilty person is to pay double. 22:9.
4. The court makes decisions about situations in which a person has the care of another person's livestock and the livestock dies, is injured, or is stolen.
22:10-13.
5. If a person borrows livestock from another person and the livestock dies or is injured, the courts decide how to settle the situation. 22:14-15.

Because of our modern society in the USA, at least some of these loss seem to be strange or irrelevant. However, a little thought and reflection suggests some very important truths for our lives.
1. When a person mistreats another person, the guilty person must suffer the consequences. People are important, and when I mistreat another person, this is wrong, and must be righted.
2. When a person neglects another person, the guilty person is still responsible, and needs to suffer the consequences.
3. Possession, whether this be animals or property, is a vital part of the individual who invests time and effort and money to earn this possession. When another person violates the diligent workers, this is wrong, and must be righted.

Many of you will spend much time dealing with legal issues. These are not abstracts matters. They have to do with living people who are trying to do their best through life. We must respect one another. We must have "laws" so that each person is treated fairly.

What do you think about such laws? Tell me some of your stories. Share these with your family, your community, your friends, your church, your country.

John Willis