Man-Stealing The Eighth Commandment Kidnapping is an abomination. Exodus 21:16 “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.” Deuteronomy 24:7 “‘If a man is found stealing one of his brothers, of the people of Israel, and if he treats him as a slave or ...

Neighbors and Enemies The Eighth Commandment Even our enemy’s property is his from the Lord. Exodus 23:4, 5 “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain ...

Property for the Common Good The Eighth Commandment The Law requires generosity and respect where property is concerned. Deuteronomy 23:24, 25 “‘If you go into your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes, as many as you wish, but you shall not put any in your bag. If you go into your ...

Restoration for Damages The Eighth Commandment Damaged property must be made right. Leviticus 24:21a “Whoever kills an animal shall make it good….” Leviticus 24:18 “Whoever takes an animal’s life shall make it good, life for life.” These statutes seem to address a situation in which one person is responsible for the death of another’s animal, whether intentionally ...

Retribution The Eighth Commandment Stealing requires restoration and retribution. Exodus 22:4 “If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.” Exodus 22:1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall ...

Right to Defend Property The Eighth Commandment People have a right to defend their property. 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 shall be bloodguilt for him. He ...

Robbery as Oppression The Eighth Commandment Robbery is a form of oppression. 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 has freely given him for use in seeking the Kingdom of God. To rob another is ...

Fair Treatment of Creatures – and Preachers! The Eighth Commandment God’s Law is not just for ancient Israel, but 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, applied this statute to himself and to the Corinthians’ failure to ...

Breaches of Trust The Eighth Commandment Justice is served when trusts are honored. 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 which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties ...

Provision for Pastors The Eighth Commandment We must not begrudge providing for our pastors. 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 neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.’” 1 ...