Tuesday, March 11th | Exodus 22

Passage:

1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, 3 but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.

5 If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard. 6 If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution.

7 If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man’s house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. 8 If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. 9 For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.”
(Exodus 22:1-9)

Song:
The Zacchaeus Song by Sandra McCracken and Paul Zach

Lyrics:
Jesus our Lord came to seek and to save
He sought me out and He called me by name
Foolish and proud, like a sheep gone astray
He said: Child, to your house I will come today

Much I have gained but I'll give even more
Half of my wealth it was robbed from the poor
O this injustice! Lord, help me restore
For you called me by name and said: Sin no more

Salvation has come
Salvation has come to this house today

He said it's more blessed to give than receive
To open my hands to the one's I've deceived
To bring reparation of all I have thieved
Hallelujah, hallelujah, yes, now I can see

Salvation has come
Salvation has come to this house today
What I've taken from the poor: I will give it all away
And their cries won't be i - gnored: I will give it all away
Let Your justice be re - stored: I will give it all away
What I thought was mine is yours: I will give it all away

Jesus our Lord comes to seek and to save
The broken, the lost, and the sheep gone astray
O lay down your treasures, for they're just golden chains
He say: Child, I will come to your house today

Prayer:
“O heavenly Father, whose law is perfect, converting the soul; a sure testimony, giving wisdom to the unlearned, and enlightening the eyes—we humbly implore you, through your boundless goodness, to enlighten our blind intellect by your Holy Spirit, so that we may truly understand and profess your law and live according to it. Since it has pleased you, most merciful Father, to reveal the mysteries of your will only to the little ones; and since you look to him alone who is of a humble and contrite spirit, who has reverence for your Word, grant us a humble spirit and keep us from all fleshly wisdom, which is enmity against you. Bring to the right way those who stray from the truth, so that we all may unanimously serve you in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our life. We ask this from you, most merciful Father, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
—Martin Micronius