Exodus 22:1,4-6

Exodus 22:1,4-6 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. If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. 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. If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. Our verses for today have to do with fairness. If someone steals something and the theft is found out, he has to restore what he took at least double. If a farmer carelessly lets his animals free to eat in another man’s field, he has to restore from the very best of his own fields. If someone is burning thorns and the fire gets out of control and burns his neighbor’s field, he has to pay for the damage that he has accidentally caused. The judges of the city are to decide what is right. Our verses remind us that we must be good neighbors. And when something bad happens, we should take responsibility for the harm that we have caused. Fair is fair.