ADAR 21
Restitution
“So if when you are offering your gift at the altar you there remember
that your brother has ANY [grievance]
against you, leave your gift at the altar and go. First
make peace with your brother, and then come back and present your gift.” (Mat 5:23-24 AMPC)
In our opening verse,
Messiah Yeshua is reinforcing the principle of restitution, reparation and
restoration – known as tikkun –
strongly commanded throughout Torah (see Ex 21:33-36; Ex 22; Lev 6:2-7). Bear in mind that Israel was an agricultural
society not only at the time Torah was written, but also in the time of our
Messiah. Livestock, vineyards, and
fields of grain were of great value; in other words, if my cattle demolished my
neighbor’s wheat field, I could not bring my gift to the altar until I went and
made restitution for the damage my cattle did.
My sacrifice or gift would not be accepted, which meant I would not
receive atonement or forgiveness until such time as reparation and restoration
were accomplished.
The westernized church system has
interpreted our opening verse as having to deal with being offended, and while
there has certainly been an offense committed, that is not the main focal point
of this verse. We need to acknowledge
the fact that our sacrifices, gifts and offerings will not be recognized without there first
being restitution and restoration made to
and with the one who is offended.
How does this relate
in our 21st century environment?
What about those who are faithful ‘tithers’, religiously giving their
10% while lying on their expense reports and/or time cards. And there are those who are more than willing
to write out large checks to help with a building fund, while calling in to
work for a ‘bogus’ sick day, only to spend it skiing because the powder was
fresh. Let’s dig a little deeper: what of those who find it easy to give to
their favorite Israeli charity, as well as faithfully keep Shabbat, yet all the
while bad-mouthing the neighbor down the street. In all three of these examples,
restitution and reparation need to be made, to the employer that was,
essentially robbed, and to the neighbor that was not 'loved as ourselves.'
Yeshua said, in our
opening verse, “any grievance”, for any reason. ‘Grievance’ is defined as “a wrong considered
as grounds for a complaint”[1]. Having said that, I would suggest that we
should diligently examine any complaints that others might have of us, and,
when possible, attempt to make amends, even for what might have been perceived incorrectly. Misunderstandings do happen; however, it is our responsibility to go and make peace with the one who is
offended.
“Do all matters without grumblings and disputings, in order that you be
BLAMELESS AND FAULTLESS, children of Elohim without blemish in the midst of a
crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Phi 2:14-15, emphasis mine)
©2021
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