Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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4 And the children of Israel did so, and put them out without the
camp: as the Lord spake unto Moses, so did the children of Israel.
The Law of Recompense
5 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 6 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall
commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, and that person be guilty;
A law concerning restitution, in case of wrong done to a neighbour. It is called a sin that men commit (Lu 5:6), because it is common among men; a sin of man, that is, a sin against man, so it is thought it should be translated and understood. If a man overreach or defraud his brother in any matter, it is to be looked upon as a trespass against the Lord, who is the protector of right, the punisher of wrong, and who strictly charges and commands us to do justly. Now what is to be done when a man's awakened conscience charges him with guilt of this kind, and brings it to his remembrance though done long ago?
1. He must confess his sin, confess it to God, confess it to his neighbour, and so take shame to himself. If he have denied it before, though it go against the grain to own himself in a lie, yet he must do it; because his heart was hardened he denied it, therefore he has no other way of making it appear that his heart is now softened but by confessing it.
2. He must bring a sacrifice, a ram of atonement, Lu 5:8. Satisfaction must be made for the offence done to God, whose law is broken, as well as for the loss sustained by our neighbour; restitution in this case is not sufficient without faith and repentance.
3. Yet the sacrifices would not be accepted till full amends were made to the party wronged, not only the principal, but a fifth part added to it, Lu 5:7. It is certain that while that which is got by injustice is knowingly retained in the hands the guilt