Leviticus 4-7
The Principle of Restitution

In Leviticus 6:2-7, the LORD gave law regarding restitutions, or efforts made to undo the wrongs done to another. In chapter 5, God told what was to be done when someone sinned against Him-a sacrifice was to be made. That was a form of restitution. However, here we see restitution demanded even when the sin was against someone else. Restitution was the giving back of what was taken, along with an additional 1/5th. Lenski rightly notes, "The idea is not that amends wipe out guilt. Proper amends are the evidence of a changed heart..." The New International Biblical Commentary says, "Guilt is a frequent topic for psychologist today. Many seem to think that if they feel guilty, they have fulfilled their religious responsibilities. In contrast, these biblical texts deal less with emotion than with breaches of relationship with God and with a fellow member of the covenant community, a neighbor (Lev. 6:1). Violating the covenant relationship, human or divine, brings responsibility and calls for acts of reconciliation."

One may well ask, "But that is in the Old Testament. Does the New Covenant teach such a thing?" In the form of specific law, no it does not. However, would it not be found in the Golden Rule as given by Jesus, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12)? If someone wronged me, would I not want him or her to make restitution if possible? If so, then why would I think I am not expected to do the same to them? Of course, the Golden rule cuts both ways, doesn't it? If I had wronged someone and despite my sorrow, there was no way I could make restitution, would I not long for them to show mercy and not demand restitution if it could not be given-or if the giving demanded extreme hardship? So I should be willing to forgo restitution if someone cannot give it.

The point is when we have done something wrong, a heart-moved conscience should want to do something-anything-possible to show genuine sorrow to those we have wronged. We should want to follow the example of Zacchaeus (Luke 19). The letter of the law does not demand it, but the spirit of the law certainly encourages it. What about the one who was wronged? If one has wronged us wants to and can make some form of restitution, then perhaps while we can't demand it, for their sake we should let them. Or, we may choose to enact the principle of grace, and simply be grateful for their changed attitude and embrace a brother and let that be it. Whether we follow the principle of restitution, or that of grace, the Law of Love is always to be embraced.