LIFE SCRIPTS

5 “If anyone grazes their livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in someone else’s field, the offender must make restitution from the best of their own field or vineyard. 6 “If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution. 7 “If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double. 8 But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges, and they must determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property. 9 In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges declare guilty must pay back double to the other.
Exodus 22:5‭-‬9 NIV. https://bible.com/bible/111/exo.22.5-9.NIV.

Taking care of our belongings is essential especially when they have a tendency to develop a ‘mind of their own’. Such is the case with allowing livestock to graze near a cultivated field or lighting up a fire near stored food. Should the livestock feed on the grain, then the owner is to compensate with the best from his storage. The same is the case for the fire which destroys the grains of another person. Now though these activities might be innocently done, God in His word reminds us that we have rights to do things the way we want but must guard against harming others in the process. In other words, my rights stop at the point where they infringe on the rights of others. In verse 7, another case scenario is painted. A person who’s property is held in trust by another expects it to be protected. But what happens if it’s stolen or is lost? If the thief is found, then he must repay double. However if not, then judges will decide whether the gatekeeper is guilty or not. In the event that there’s possession of property being contested by more than one party, their case is to be brought before judges who’re to decide the rightful owner. Infact we see this second situation play out during the reign of king Solomon who was presented with two ladies claiming a child. God places His wisdom in the minds of judges and the judicial system of the land. But it’s also not His intention that disagreements degenerate into conflicts. If people disagree on an issue, they’re to find sober minded people who’re to judge their case based on the evidence before them. This is God’s idea in moments of conflict. This points us towards Him, who is the great Judge and our Lord Jesus Christ, our great Advocate who pleads our case before God.