Exodus 22 continues with the Judgments or Civil Law of Israel. While these laws are not directly binding on other nations yet there is much to be learned here by those who make civil law. We find in the Judgments a balance between the undue severity of some nations and the criminal laxity of many modern countries. Some of Israel’s Civil Law was completely different than ours. For instance there were no jail sentences. Men either made restitution or in more serious cases they forfeited their lives.

1. Theft - Verses 1-4
Wealth in Israel was counted in livestock. Those who stole from their neighbor made restitution not only for that which was stolen but also for the time and trouble involved in recovering it. The ox being necessary for plowing and farm work required a higher restitution if stolen because the owner lost not only his animal but also his means of making a crop. The dishonest were taught that "crime does not pay."

The law also regulated the treatment of thieves. The thief who was killed in a night robbery was unavenged. Self-defense was permitted plus the darkness would mask the thief's identity and thus make his capture unlikely.

The property owner was not, however, permitted to act in vengeance. They could not kill a man caught in the act of robbery if the daylight allowed his identity to be known. The thief in this case could be apprehended by the proper authorities. Neither could they hunt down a thief and kill him. He was to be captured and sentenced to make legal restitution. If the thief still had the stolen animals in his possession the amount of the restitution was lowered as recovery was simpler. These laws are a model of justice and moderation.

Our society would do well to consider Israel's judgments. Restitution is a principle missing from our civil law. We give long prison sentences which do nothing to recompense the victims of crime and are costly to taxpayers. In Israel criminals either paid for their thefts or were sold as laborers to make restitution. While these exact laws would not work in an urban society they could be easily tailored and adopted to any situation.

2. Private Responsibility - Verses 5-6
Those who on purpose or through carelessness damaged the property of others were accountable to make restitution.

3. Trusts - Verses 7-15
These laws are self-explanatory. Notice that the oath in all nations is recognition of God's power, knowledge, and final justice.

4. Seduction of Virgins - Verses 16-17
The man who defiled a young woman either married her and paid an acceptable dowry or was simply made to pay at the father’s discretion. A man was not forced to give his daughter to her seducer if the father did not feel it was in the girl's best interest.

5. Witchcraft - Verse 18
In a theocracy the practice of magic or witchcraft was sin against God and treason against the state. Those in early America who burned witches were trying to continue this theocracy by an unscriptural union of church and state. They did not grasp the difference between Israel and the New Testament church.

6. Sexual Perversion - Verse 19

7. Idolatry - Verse 20
In a theocracy the worship of false gods was treason against the king (God).

8. Strangers - Verse 21
Strangers were to be treated kindly and fairly (Leviticus 19:9-10, 23:22, Deuteronomy 14:28-29). We also need to remember this (Hebrews 13:2).

9. The Weak - Verses 22-24
How sad that laws are needed to protect those who cannot protect themselves. God often warns us that He is the avenger of all such.

10. Prohibition of Usury - Verse 25
No one was permitted to take advantage of the poor by charging interest on loans made to them (Nehemiah 5:1-7)

11. The Pledge - Verses 26-27
The poor man might give his coat as a pledge of repayment on a debt. Because the poor used these garments as a covering while sleeping the creditor had to return the garment every night. While this protected the poor from cold and suffering yet it created sufficient trouble to insure that the debt would be paid as soon as possible. 12. Magistrates To Be Honored - Verse 28
The "gods" mentioned here were not false gods but rather the civil leaders of Israel (John 10:34-35, Psalm 82:1&6). These people were to be honored for civil government is an institution of God (Romans 13:1-7). Note well the warning in Jude 8.

13. Offering Of The Firstfruits - Verses 29-30
May we learn to offer the first and the best unto God. The best of our time, talents, and possessions.

14. Ceremonial Purity - Verse 31
Israelites were not to eat blood and therefore were to avoid anything improperly butchered. Their care in maintaining ceremonial purity is a picture of our need to maintain spiritual and moral purity.