Prov 6:31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.
There have been several times in my life when I have really blown it – to be fair most of those were before I became a Christian (although not all). I understand for myself now what restitution can feel like, it is a humbling experience, it is a vulnerable experience – even although for me I was not caught, but rather as a Christian realised that I needed to “confess” and seek peace with the people I had offended so deeply.
What was amazing to me was how God went before me and made a way that for me in my thinking seemed impossible as I sized up the job at hand. Fear tried to hem me into a place of continual despair, and loss. God wanted to bring me out into a place of deep gratitude and love. Regardless of the cost< I knew which one I wanted the most.
KNOWLEDGE
When we wrong someone and we know we have done that – willingly of even by mistake, God has made a way back to peace through restitution. The Old Testament was clear and quite prescriptive, however in the New Testament we discover grace and mercy, and so restitution is an issue of the heart that may impact the wallet.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word used for “pay” is pronounced as “salem” in Hebrew and carries the meaning of “to fulfill a vow; to make restitution; to be at peace; to be brought into peace”.
The LXX reads as “but if he should be captured he shal pay seven fold, and all his possessions by giving shall rescue himself”
The word for “pay” is αποτίσει [apotisei] “he shall pay” – and I was unable to discover this word in the New Testament, other than a derivative in Matt 22:21 – “…render unto Caesar…” – Ἀπόδοτε [apodote].
WISDOM
Am I living beyond reproach is how I treat others possessions, time, and commitments?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Responsibility as a Gallup Strength takes psychological ownership of its commitments. Take care of what you say yes to.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – But if he is discovered and uncovered he will make restitution seven times over; he will give from all his possessions or his house and his household.
But if he is caught – but is he is discovered and uncovered
he will pay – he will make restitution
sevenfold – seven times over;
he will give all his goods – he will give ongoing from all his possessions
of his house – of his house and household.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to live withing the means you have provided and to be at complete peace with that.
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