Leviticus 6:4-5 “Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took . . . he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.”
Have you ever been made to apologize to a sibling? Maybe your mother said, “Tell him (or her) you’re sorry.” Did you feel relieved when you reluctantly said, “I’m sorry”? Obviously there is a difference between making an apology and making amends. The purpose of making amends is being brought back together-to “mend” that which is broken. We see here in Leviticus 6 that our relationship with God is closely tied to our mending with people. That is, you cannot be right with God and be wrong with people.
However, you might gain an advantage by deceit or convenient circumstance. Have you ever said something in such a way that the hearer gave you the advantage you sought? I am not suggesting that “putting your best foot forward” is wrong, but isn’t it crooked to present things in such a way as to gain an advantage deceitfully?
Advantage by convenient circumstance could be the old adage: “Finders keepers, losers weepers.” You know, the feeling that “someone will do it, take it, or win it anyway; it might as well be me.” What becomes an advantage to you was a disadvantage for someone else. The fact of the matter is, you cannot be right with God if you are not right with people, especially those you have advantage over.
Look at the protocol for making amends in verses 4-6. Verse 4 says, “Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took. . . .” The word “restore” has the idea of making amends. Verse 5 specifies that not only should he “restore it in the principal,” but he should also “add the fifth part more thereto.” This person was not to make some heartless apology; he was to make amends, even if that meant restoring with 20% interest! When matters were settled with people, then he could bring his trespass offering to the Lord (verse 6).
The challenge of this passage to you is not a percentage or a specific offering; instead, the message is that your relationship with God stands or falls with our relationship with people. What you do today to people is a solid, concrete indication of your relationship with God. You are not right by Him if you are not right by them.
Prayer Requests: 1. Bill Rice Ranch Homeschool Conference (4/2-4/4) 2. Revival service tonight in Moline, IL
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