thousandhills

Restorative Justice Justice requires retribution at times. Exodus 22:2, 3 “If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there…

Personal Property God is Lord, but we are stewards of our personal property. Leviticus 19:13  “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him.” Robbery is a form of oppression in that it deprives a person of that which God…

Justice for Beasts The Law demanded justice even for the animals that work for us. Deuteronomy 25:4 “‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.’” Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:8-12 Paul, of course,…

Breach of Trust The Law showed how to resolve disputes. Exodus 22:9 “For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of…

Provision for Priests Israel was responsible to care for those who ministered spiritually to them. Deuteronomy 12:19 “‘Take care that you do not neglect the Levite as long as you live in your land.’” Deuteronomy 14:27 “‘And you shall not…

Pledges and Wages God’s Law preserved the rights of the poor and all workers. Exodus 22:26, 27 “If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, for that is…

Interest and Debt God’s Law works to discourage indebtedness. Deuteronomy 23:19, 20 “‘You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest. You may charge a…

Property and Restitution Justice extends into everyday details. Exodus 22:7, 8 “If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man’s house, then, if the thief is found, he shall…

Liability Liability laws help to promote neighbor love. Exodus 21:18, 19 “When men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist and the man does not die but takes to his bed, then if the…

Preserving Family Property This strange law made perfect sense within the economy of ancient Israel. Deuteronomy 25:5-10 “‘If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married…