TOPIC: GOD’S LAWS HAVE NO LIMIT (PROPERTY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY)
Memory verse:-"If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must pay back five head
of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep. "If a thief is caught breaking in and is
struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after
sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed. "A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has
nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft. "If the stolen animal is found alive in his
possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double. "If a man
grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in another
man’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard. "If a
fire breaks out and spreads into thorn bushes so that it burns shocks of grain or
standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.
"If a man gives his neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the
neighbor’s house, the thief, if he is caught, must pay back double. But if the thief is not
found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges to determine whether he
has laid his hands on the other man’s property. In all cases of illegal possession of an
ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody
says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their cases before the judges. The one
whom the judges declare guilty must pay back double to his neighbor.
"If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to his neighbor for
safekeeping and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no one is looking, the issue
between them will be settled by the taking of an oath before the Lordthat the neighbor
did not lay hands on the other person’s property. The owner is to accept this, and no
restitution is required. But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, he must make
restitution to the owner. If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, he shall bring in the
remains as evidence and he will not be required to pay for the torn animal. "If a man
borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not
present, he must make restitution. But if the owner is with the animal, the borrower will
not have to pay. If the animal was hired, the money paid for the hire covers the loss”.
It is unwise to think that worshipping God is just a heart affair the physical has nothing to do with it. The laws and commandments of God are not limited to the heart they are to regulate our life in all material times as well as in our spiritual acts. We are to present our body as a living sacrifice but the "body” is not spiritual. That means worshipping God better still Christianity is both spiritual and material.
The bible lesson today reveals to us that God was/is concern about our property and social responsibilities. Let Him have a way in all our affairs (total life) and never think of limiting His laws or commandments.
Prayer:-pray for understanding in God’s Word
pray that you will always be the doer of the Word
What to meditate on:
In your opinion how would you describe the Old Testament Laws and why?
