1 “Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep. 2 “If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; 3 but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed. “Anyone who steals must certainly make restitution, but if they have nothing, they must be sold to pay for their theft. 4 If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—they must pay back double.
Exodus 22:1-4 NIV. https://bible.com/bible/111/exo.22.1-4.NIV.
The Lord had already given the Israelites the ten commandments one of which criminalized theft. The Lord takes His instructions to His people further in this passage. He distinguishes between theft during the day and during the night. He states the repercussions. A night attack is usually riskier than one during the day. Darkness conceals. It hides. But light reveals what is happening. Sometimes deeds done in the dark are not intended for good but for harm. But if bad deeds are done during daylight, they’re open for all to see. In verses 3 and 4 we are reminded about the penalty of stealing…restitution. Restitution is a virtue not so much practiced today yet so effective. It opens up the true condition of our hearts pertaining to the wrongs we’ve done. A thief is one whether found or not. Restitution must be made…either a double payment or the thief being sold if not able to pay. I wonder how that would pan out if applied in our day and age? It would not only bring forgiveness but reconciliation. It would also deter the rest of us from stealing.
LIFE SCRIPTS 
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