Making It Right: Restitution, Reconciliation, and God’s Gracious Provision

Listen to Today’s Passage – Leviticus 5 – 7

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Leviticus 5

Second Milers also read – John 1 – 2; Proverbs 4; Psalms 21 – 25

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 119:105

Read the “0204 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

“1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; 3 Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: 4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, 5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; 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. 6 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: 7 And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.” (Lev 6:1–7)

In Leviticus 5–7, God continues giving Moses instructions regarding the various sacrifices required in the Law. These chapters outline several types of offerings, each with a specific purpose for maintaining a relationship with a holy God.

  • Burnt Offering (mentioned in context, e.g., Lev. 6:8–13; 7): A voluntary act of total devotion and worship. The entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete surrender to God and atonement for sin.
  • Meat Offering (Lev. 2; referenced in laws): A voluntary expression of gratitude for God’s provision, using fine flour, oil, and frankincense—often accompanying other sacrifices.
  • Peace Offering (Lev. 3; 7:11–34): Voluntary fellowship offering (including thanksgiving, vow, or freewill varieties). Part was burned to God, part eaten by the offerer and priests in a shared meal, picturing restored peace and communion. It included elements like the “heave” (lifted) and “wave” offerings given to priests.
  • Sin Offering (Lev. 4; 5:1–13; 6:24–30): Mandatory for unintentional sins or ritual impurities, atoning for offenses against God’s holiness.
  • Trespass (Guilt) Offering (Lev. 5:14–19; 6:1–7; 7:1–10): Required for specific wrongs, often involving restitution plus a fifth added, followed by a ram sacrifice for atonement and forgiveness.

These offerings weren’t just rituals—they revealed God’s heart and holiness. He demanded that sin be dealt with but He also made gracious provision for everyone:

  • For the poor: If someone couldn’t afford a lamb or birds for a sin offering, they could bring a tenth of an ephah of fine flour instead (Lev. 5:11). No one was excluded from atonement due to poverty—God’s mercy met them where they were.
  • For the priests: Some of the animals that were sacrifices would be wholly consumed in the fire, but portions of many offerings (e.g., from peace, sin, and trespass) went to the priests and their families (Lev. 7:6–10, 31–34), providing food for those who served the Lord in the tabernacle.

The main thought that I wanted to develop from today’s reading is from Leviticus 6:1–7, focusing on the trespass offering when a person sins against their neighbor—through deception, theft, fraud, lying about lost items, or false oaths. The Scripture describes it plainly: “If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein…” (Lev. 6:2–3).

Notice the sequence God requires:

  1. Make restitution first—“Because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten… he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto” (Lev. 6:4–5).
  2. Then bring the guilt offering—a ram without blemish (v. 6).
  3. Receive atonement and forgiveness—“And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein” (Lev. 6:7).

Restitution to the neighbor came before the sacrifice offered to God. Why? Because a sin against another is also a sin against God (as Numbers 5:6 echoes: “When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty”). True repentance involves repairing the harm done horizontally as well as seeking vertical reconciliation. God cares deeply about justice in human relationships—He won’t let us gloss over wrongs done to others while pretending all is well with Him.

This principle echoes throughout Scripture:

  • In the New Testament, Jesus teaches the same urgency: “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee, Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:23–24). Worship is hindered until relationships are mended.
  • Zacchaeus, the tax collector, demonstrates genuine repentance: After encountering Jesus, he declares, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8). Jesus affirms, “This day is salvation come to this house” (Luke 19:9). Restitution was the fruit of his transformed heart.

These examples show that God desires reconciliation—both with Him and with people. We can’t compartmentalize sin: wrongs against neighbors grieve God too.

Today, in Christ, we no longer offer animal sacrifices—Jesus is our perfect Trespass Offering, who paid the ultimate restitution for our sins against God and others (Isaiah 53:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21). His blood atones fully, once for all. Yet the call remains: When we wrong someone, we must seek to make it right—apologize, restore what we can, and pursue reconciliation—then rest in His forgiveness.

You may need to allow an unbiased brother or sister help to sort out the situation. Matthew 18:15-17 gives instructions regarding conflicts between people within a congregation. That unbiased brother might be able to help you better understand what should be done to make things right.

Have you wronged a neighbor, friend, or family member? Don’t delay reconciliation. Go make it right “as much as lieth in you” (Romans 12:18). By doing so, you’ll honor God, experience deeper peace, and reflect the heart of our Savior who reconciled us to God at great cost.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your gracious provision in the old covenant and perfect provision in Christ. Convict me of any unresolved wrongs, give me courage to make restitution where needed, and help me live in reconciled relationships—for Your glory. Amen.


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