“You must make restitution by paying the full price plus an additional 20 percent to the person you have harmed. On the same day you must present a guilt offering” (Leviticus 6:5 NLT)

The Lord taught the Israelites that one who was found guilty of stealing had offended two parties: the one they stole from and the Lord Himself. He gave them instructions on paying restitution to the victim and how to find forgiveness from the Lord too. In this way, the victim was made whole and the thief also. Of course, paying back the full price plus 20% was humanly possible to the victim, but repaying God involved an awareness of impossibility. A sacrifice would have to be made for guilt. In this the Law pointed to the need for a Savior. The Law is still useful in this. It shows us how to be made right with those we offend on earth and also makes us aware that we need Someone to make us right with Heaven. A modern civil question emerges from this: How does our present day prison system accomplish what Mosaic law did? Does putting a thief in prison make the victim whole? Does it satisfy their offense to God? How could a modern society better apply Scriptural principles to its judicial system?