Daily Devotions
My Song In The Night (Exodus)
我夜间的歌曲《出埃及记》
Text: Exodus 22: 1-4
MEDITATION
Exodus 22:1-4
1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.
2 If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.
3 If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
4 If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.
MEANINGFUL APPLICATION TO LIFE
1. The problem of theft of animals
a. The stealing of an ox.
b. The stealing of sheep.
c. Killing the stolen animals.
d. Selling the stolen animals.
2. Trial of the thief
(This is not stated specifically but understood)
a. The thief would have to be caught.
b. He would be brought before a judge.
3. Upon conviction
a. Penalty imposed for stealing an ox:
i. There is a fivefold penalty.
ii. The thief has to return five oxen for the one he had stolen.
b. Penalty imposed for stealing a sheep:
i. There is a fourfold penalty.
ii. The thief has to return four sheep for the one he had stolen.
c. There is a strong punitive element in the implementation of the law.
4. A housebreaker
a. A thief can also break into a house to steal things.
b. If he is found out and resisted by the householder and he is struck severely in the scuffle:
i. A night scene
If the thief dies, no guilt is attached to the householder.
ii. A day scene
If the thief dies, the householder would be held accountable.
He may have used excessive force deliberately.
5. Full restitution
a. This is the key word.
b. The thief must make full restitution.
c. He may be sold for his crime if he cannot make full restitution.
6. If the animal is found alive
a. Ox
b. Donkey
c. Sheep
7. The thief must make restitution
a. He has to pay double.
b. The punitive element is added to the principle of restitution.
经文：出埃及记 22:1-4
沉思
《出埃及记 22:1-4》
1“人若偷牛或羊，无论是宰了是卖了，他就要以五牛赔一牛，四羊赔一羊。
2人若遇见贼挖窟窿，把贼打了，以至于死，就不能为他有流血的罪。
3若太阳已经出来，就为他有流血的罪。贼若被拿，总要赔还。若他一无所有，就要被卖，顶他所偷的物。4若他所偷的，或牛，或驴，或羊，仍在他手下存活，他就要加倍赔还。