God's Law, Property Rights Series

God’s Law, Property Rights

Property damaged by negligence

Property rights against theft

Property rights against bringing harm

Exodus 21:33-22:15

DBF, Sunday Sermon, 12/29/02

In today’s society we do hear a lot bantered about regarding rights.

Of course properly stated most of the arguments are towards an individuals rights to do, say, or feel anything that they feel to be beneficial to them.

Someone might say that if I want to shoot my rifle on my own property that is my right as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution.

Hear what I am saying here as personally, I enjoy the right to bear arms but understand the reason that I am given this right is to ensure that we as a nation will always be defended…I see it as a right with a responsibility instead of a right for a right.

In the above instance, what if someone is walking are driving around your house and your shot cause death, harm, or damage.

Doesn’t the individual harmed are damaged have a right to peace and tranquility?

I am in court often, and the individual’s rights to freedom from others practicing irresponsible citizenship is continually denied them, yet the absolute freedom of individuals even when totally irresponsible is continually espoused by the court and other institutions within our land.

Just as in God’s word there are blessings for doing God’s will and curses if we choose to walk in a manner contrary to the will of God. Our rights come with similar requirements.

For me to be able to exercise freedom of speech, I need to understand that I owe others the rights of not being harassed or being placed in a position of harm by what I say.

Our rights “necessarily” come with responsibilities, and even if in this current age you are not held accountable for transgressions against another, before God each and every “knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”. We will all come to the righteous JUDGE, and HIS ruling in TRUTH will have no end.

Let’s walk with the nation of Israel and gain wisdom in what God’s Theocratic Law stipulated regarding property rights of HIS nation. Remember God calls us to equal justice for all, making people whole is what HE is all about.

Property damaged by negligence

Exodus 21:33-36 (KJV)

And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein; [34] The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

[35] And if one man’s ox hurt another’s, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide. [36] Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.

And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein; [34] The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his…Who’s fault is it?

What would we here today?

Well I dug my pit, it was my property, I had the right, and if your silly animal came over here and fell into it, sorry…it’s my property and my rights.

All very interesting arguments for this day and age, yet does it change the intent and meaning of God’s law? Absolutely not.

You see, God’s regulations are as remarkable for their justice and prudence as for their humanity. Their great tendency is to show the value of human life, and the necessity of having peace and good understanding in every neighborhood.

Most communities in this nation that was formed “Under God” knew these things, it is just recently that we have strayed so very far from this requirement of God’s law given over 3500 years ago, and it is plain what our walking away from God’s good law has gotten our nation and our people.

What quality did God’s law possess…that quality which should be the object of all good and wholesome laws—the prevention of crimes.

Most criminal codes today seem more intent on the punishment of crimes than on preventing the commission of them.

The law of God has always taught and continues to teach and warn, that HIS creatures may not fall into condemnation; for judgment is HIS and HIS alone.

Also with the mention of the pit, my mind necessarily goes to the thought of the very many pits of sin that lie open surrounding us, our villages, and our nation. These pits all lead to the same place, the place of fire and damnation. It is our calling to lead people to Christ and away from the pit. That is God’s ultimate calling to all who profess to be the born again Children of Christ.