February 28, 2025 -Restitution

NUMBERS 4:1-5:31

Chronological Bible Readings

Numbers 5:5 The Lord said to Moses, 6 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord is guilty 7 and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged. 8 But if that person has no close relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the Lord and must be given to the priest, along with the ram with which atonement is made for the wrongdoer. 9 All the sacred contributions the Israelites bring to a priest will belong to him. 10 Sacred things belong to their owners, but what they give to the priest will belong to the priest.’”

I wonder if this is where the Catholic church's tradition of paying pennants for your sins comes from. I don't remember much from my one time going to confession when I was very young in the Greek Orthodox Chruch that I was baptized in. So, I don't know if when you confess a sin against another person if they tell you to make restitution to that person as well as make a contribution to the church and or say whatever prayers they prescribe.

The other thought that I had which actually came first because of "7 and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged." This to me makes a strong statement that when we harm others the right thing to do is not to try to justify our actions. It is not to just to apologize but it is to make restitution. It is about making it right with that other person more than what the wrong was. It had recently come to my attention that someone in my church felt that I had done them wrong and that I owed them an apology. I thought that I had apologized and that it was received, but this person had made comment to others more than once that I owed them an apology. A good friend had it laid on her heart to bring it to my attention believing that I would be willing and want to restore the relationship. Which she was right. When she told me I immediately wanted to make it right and I realized that my apology was not enough. I needed to find out from this other person what was needed for me to make restitution. I am grateful that I was able to confess my sin to other believers and ask them to join me when I talked to this person to try to restore the relationship. When the time came, I expressed my regret and asked how I could make it right. I may have even used the word restitution. But was unable to get an understanding of what was needed. In this situation I am hopeful that what was needed was for this person to be heard and her hurt acknowledged. I hope I did that and that things are restored but I would like to go above that and do more. Add a fifth of the value to it. I pray that God will give some guidance on how to do that.