God has spent a lot of time in Leviticus talking about the nature of unintentional sins. What do you do when you find out you were in error, or when the entire nation finds out they’re wrong? You make it right, and, if necessary, you make restitution.
Leviticus 6 carries that same idea further, but moves from unintentional sins to those that were very much on purpose: theft, embezzlement, and extortion, among others.
Shockingly, the repayment process is the same. Once someone is caught, they not only have to repay what it was that was stolen, but also add a 20% fine on top, as well.
Since it is technically a crime, some would argue that the repayment should more, but the limit prevents a punishment from becoming extortionate itself. If someone stole from me, I would probably be inclined to ask for more than 20% as justice. God caps it to provide fairness and equity to the situation.
Where the situations diverge is in the timing of the trespass offering. Leviticus 6:5 says that restitution for intentional sins like this must be done on the same day as the trespass offering. Nowhere in Leviticus 5 does God specify a restitution date for unintentional sins.
It’s easy to overlook something like this, but take a second to think about why these two events must coincide. Throughout the Bible, it’s stated again and again that you cannot worship God while also being at odds with your brother (Mark 11:25; 1 John 4:20-21).
Matthew 5:23 even says that if you’re presenting your offering at the altar and remember that your brother has something against you, you should leave the gift there and be reconciled first.
This whole concept underscores an essential and universal truth: Worship to God is pointless if you hate those whom God loves. That’s not the same as others hating you—you can’t control their thoughts, after all—but it’s on you to try to reconcile. If they refuse to talk, that’s on them.
Undoubtedly, this “same day clause” probably caused problems for some. After all, what if the person who stole can’t pay back the 20% that same day? What if it means selling off serious assets in order to accomplish it?
According to the Law, it doesn’t matter. There is no forgiveness until you make it right. Period. That’s what repentance is.
There is a silver lining for the offender, though. In Leviticus 6:7, the Bible says that once the sacrifice and restitution is made, the person “will be forgiven.” Not “might be forgiven” or “hopefully will be forgiven,” but “will be forgiven.”
That’s how justice should work. Someone is wrong, that same someone makes it right, and the parties forgive and move on. It’s sometimes difficult to practice in real life, but that’s what we should all be striving for.
