King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Friday, February 06, 2026
Chapters: Exodus 22-24
Message: Exodus: The Law of Restitution
Hello My Friend,
And as we continue in the reading of Exodus, we learned that God, having already dealt with the sins of their fathers, established a set of rules that He expected the Israelites—and anyone who chose to follow Him—to obey. As God continued giving Moses these commandments, He made it a point to address matters of justice, including how His people were to deal with thieves.
[Exodus 22:1-5 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. 3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. 5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man’s field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.]
[Restitution; The act of returning or restoring to a person some thing or right of which he has been unjustly deprived;] In other words, if the thief was caught, he was not to be thrown into jail. Instead, he was required to repay what he had stolen, and then repay additional value as restitution. However, if the thief was killed accidentally by an animal while committing the theft, no one would be held responsible for his death. On the other hand, if the owner or anyone else intentionally killed the thief, then they would be held accountable. Why? Because stolen goods can be replaced, human life cannot.
[Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.]
Saved, born again Christians ought to be ready to show the mercies of God to all people, regardless of who they are. We will stand before God and give an account not only for the good we have done through Him, but also for the ways we have treated others. While these laws may seem unusual or even unnecessary to us now, they were essential in that time. They taught Israel how to live with justice, compassion, and accountability long before modern legal systems existed.
[Exodus 22:9-12 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour. 10 If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it: 11 Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good. 12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.]
If there is one thing that makes me uncomfortable, it is borrowing or being asked to watch over something that does not belong to me. I am constantly on edge, concerned that something might happen to it, and I often take better care of it than I do my own belongings. The people of God should always be ready to show mildness and mercy, yet also exercise righteous judgment. If we have been careless with the possessions of others, we ought to make restitution, even when no law requires it. Let us remind our souls that if the grace of God has truly appeared to us, then it has taught us and enabled us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live godly in this present world, [Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;]
That is a problem we still see today. Many people do not care what happens to their own belongings, let alone the belongings of others. Yet if we were to lose everything, perhaps that would be God’s way of teaching us to treat all things with the same respect. As God continues giving His laws, He begins to address matters of social justice—how His people are to treat one another and how they are to treat those who are different. However, we must also take note that God does not look kindly upon His people joining themselves to idolaters or adopting their ways.
[Exodus 22:16-24 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins. 18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. 19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. 20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed. 21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.]
Wow! Can you imagine how offended the socialists, progressives, and narcissists would be at reading this? Our bodies ought to be treated with deep respect. Those who are quick to feed them with the lusts of the world, without any regard for the people they entice or harm, are seeking gratification in the abominations of this world—and such things will ultimately turn against them. Consider this: practices that alter the mind and body through drugs fall under the same spirit as witchcraft; the defiling of one’s body with an animal does indeed exist; and the inhumane treatment of others is tragically common. We are not to expose our bodies, nor the bodies of others, to anything that God calls an abomination.
[I Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.]
Who would have thought that oppressing widows or orphans would come with such a high cost? And why does God single out widows and orphans here? It is because they have no one to rely on, no earthly protector or provider, and therefore God holds a special place in His heart for them. God also cares deeply for the poor. To protect such vulnerable people, He goes on to give laws concerning the poor.
[Exodus 22:25-28,31 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. 26 If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: 27 For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious. 28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. 31 And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.]
I was watching a woman after a cold spell, clearly homeless. She had a shopping cart full of blankets and had wrapped herself in several of them just to stay warm. I saw her differently than those who stand in the middle of intersections seeking money for destructive habits. She was someone who truly did not know where her next meal would come from, yet she pressed on, and I found that deeply commendable. This is a reminder that we cannot take whatever we have for granted. True Christians will trip, fall, and rise again many times, but it is Christ who lifts them up, strengthens them, and gives them a testimony of what He has brought them through.
[Proverbs 24:16,21-22 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. 21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: 22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?]
And as for our rulers, we may not agree with them, but we are still called to show them proper respect. Much of the public outrage we see today—especially as corruption and long‑hidden actions are being exposed—reveals how quickly people forget this principle. As God continues giving these commands, He makes it a point to remind His people how serious it is to falsely accuse someone, or even to side with those making false accusations.
[Exodus 23:1-6 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: 3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause. 4 If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. 5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him. 6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.]
It may sound completely unreasonable to help someone who has hurt you or someone you love, yet think about it—one small act of kindness might be the very thing that softens their heart and turns their life around. Bullies are not born bullies; more often than not, they are being bullied, wounded, or mistreated by someone else. Their cruelty is usually a reflection of their own pain. Showing mercy in such moments does not excuse their behavior, but it may be the first glimpse of grace they have ever seen.
[Matthew 5:43-45 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.]
Now, we know the Sabbath day and understand that God expects us to keep it holy. This means we need a day to lay aside the cares of the world, cease from our ordinary work, and give that time wholly to God. But did you know there is also a Sabbath year? This was an entire year of rest for the land itself—a year in which the crops were not to be planted or harvested in the usual way.
[Exodus 23:10-14 And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: 11 But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard. 12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. 13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. 14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.]
[Circumspect; Cautious; prudent; watchful on all sides; examining carefully all the circumstances that may affect a determination, or a measure to be adopted.] Before we even make a move, we ought to consider the consequences of our actions. God promises to be with us always—to love us, protect us, and provide for us by His grace. He does this even when we fail to obey, but imagine the blessings He would pour out if we paid closer attention to what we were doing instead of acting on impulse. As God continues revealing His commands to Israel, He tells them that He is sending His Angel ahead of them to prepare the land and guide them into the place He has promised.
[Exodus 23:20-23 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. 22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. 23 For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.]
Jesus Christ Himself, the anchor of our souls, goes before us and keeps our way until we reach our promised land. Notice what God says: “Mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in.” He is not removing them from the land, but preparing them for the moment they will enter it. God then goes on to explain why He is not driving out the inhabitants all at once.
[Exodus 23:27-30,33 I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. 28 And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. 29 I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. 30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.]
Do you understand why God keeps us “on our toes,” so to speak, by placing us in the world rather than removing every difficulty from our path? If God were to rid us of all our enemies immediately, we would never learn our need to fear Him, trust Him, or depend upon Him. Nor would we be able to reach the lost—those who have just as much opportunity to come to know the true God and trust Jesus as their Saviour as we do. God leaves us in the midst of challenges so that His strength may be seen in us, His grace may work through us, and His mercy may reach those who are still wandering, [John 17:18-19 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.]
Now that God had given the Israelites laws to follow, He determined that there needed to be men set apart to enforce those laws and to teach them to the people. This is where the priests come in. God appointed Aaron and his sons to serve as priests, and then Moses gathered the congregation together, where he had an altar built according to God’s command.
[Exodus 24:1-4 And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. 2 And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him. 3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do. 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.]
This was not their ordinary altar for burnt offerings. This altar was to be used specifically in connection with the new laws God had given. Whenever someone broke a command, they were to come to this altar with their sacrifice to make atonement for their sin. Moses then demonstrated to the people the very first sacrifices offered for reconciliation.
[Exodus 24:5-8 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD. 6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. 8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.]
Without the shedding of blood there is no remission, no restitution, and no reconciliation for sin—period. Jesus has entered into a blood covenant with every person who receives Him as their Saviour, and Him alone. His blood is the only blood that can remove sin permanently, [Romans 3:22-24 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:]
Now that the new laws were put into effect, the first sacrifices had been shown, and the people had expressed their willingness to obey, the true test would come when no one was watching. Obedience is easy in the presence of leadership; it is proven in the quiet places where only God sees. So what does God do? He sends Moses away for forty days and forty nights.
[Exodus 24:12-14,16-17 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. 13 And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. 14 And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them. 16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.]
I often wonder what Joshua did during that time, as he waited somewhere on the mountain for Moses to return. I can only imagine what it must have looked like to see the mountain top covered in what appeared to be fire from heaven. Yet believe it or not, that same divine light shines within every saved, born‑again Christian. The presence that rested on that mountain now dwells in us through the Holy Spirit, guiding, convicting, and strengthening us just as surely as God guided Moses and Joshua.
[II Timothy 1:8-10 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:]
Today’s Prayer: God, While I know that we are no longer under the Law, I still want to live my life the best I can, and I know that I fail You every day. And even though all of these laws that You have written in Your Word do not apply to us, they do remind us that we are a holy people and ought to think twice about what we are doing so that we can live a holy life that glorifies You. Thank You for sending Your Son to to not only give me remission of my sins, but also restitution. Lord, as I await the promised land, lead me and guide me, let me not do anything with haste, that is unless it is something that You have called me to do. I love You and need You, and am nothing without You. I pray this in Your name, Jesus name, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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