Exodus 22

Exodus 22:1

3. Laws Regarding Stealing and Property Damage (22:1-6)A thief had to make full restitution for what he had stolen, the amount depending on the nature of the theft. If a thief was slain while breaking in at night, his killer was not accountable; he had no way of knowing whether the motive was theft or murder. But to kill a thief during daylight hours brought guilt on the killer. If the thief of verse 1 could not make restitution, then he was sold as a slave. If a stolen animal was found alive, the thief had to restore double. If a farmer allowed an animal to stray into a neighbor’s grain field, he had to restore the same amount that was grazed from the best of his own field or vineyard. Anyone who carelessly started a fire that destroyed crops had to make restitution.

Exodus 22:7

4. Laws Regarding Dishonesty (22:7-15)22:7-13 Verses 7-9 deal with the theft of money or property that was being kept in trust by one person for another. The one who stole it had to pay double. If the thief could not be found, the one holding the money in safekeeping had to appear before the judges to see if he himself was the guilty one. In any case of breach of trust, the judges decided whether the accused or accuser was guilty, then required double payment. If an animal died, was hurt, or was driven away while being held in trust, and if the trustee swore an oath before the LORD that what had happened was beyond his power to prevent, no restitution was necessary.

If the animal was stolen through the trustee’s lack of watchfulness, he had to make restitution. No restitution was required for a mauled animal if the carcass was produced as evidence. 22:14, 15 If a borrowed animal was injured or killed, the borrower had to make it good. But if the owner was present when it happened, and was therefore able to protect it, no restitution was necessary. No restitution was necessary in the case of a hired animal, since the risk of loss was included in the price.

Exodus 22:16

5. Laws Regarding Seduction (22:16, 17)If a man seduced an unengaged virgin to sin with him, he was obligated to marry her and to pay the regular dowry. If the father refused to give his daughter in marriage, the man still had to pay the “bride-price” to the father, since the possibility that the daughter would ever marry was now greatly reduced.

Exodus 22:18

6. Laws Regarding Civil and Religious Obligations (22:1823:19)22:18-20 Three capital crimes in addition to murder were sorcery or witchcraft, sexual intercourse with an animal, and idolatry. 22:21-24 The Jews were to be compassionate toward strangers in their land, because they too had been strangers in a foreign land. Humane treatment was also to be accorded to widows and fatherless children. The Lord took it upon Himself to enforce this commandment. Men were appointed to punish most other violations, but in this case, God would punish directly. He hasn’t changed in His attitude toward the defenseless. He still cares for widows and orphans, and we as believers should do the same. 22:25-27 No interest was to be charged on money lent to an Israelite, though it could be charged to Gentiles (Deu_23:20). Clothing taken as a pledge had to be returned before nightfall, since the cloak was used as a blanket. 22:28-31 It was forbidden to revile God or curse a ruler (cf. Act_23:5). The Lord was to receive His portion, whether of crops or sons or animals. Firstborn animals were to be offered on the eighth day. It was forbidden to eat meat that had been torn by beasts. In such a case, the blood would not have been drained immediately, and to eat blood was a violation of God’s law (Lev. 17). Also, there was the danger of infection from various diseases spread by animals (such as rabies), from which God was protecting His people.