Deuteronomy 22:1-4

j. LIFE IN THE NEW LAND: VARIOUS LAWS (Deuteronomy 22:1-12)

(1) LOST POSSESSIONS (Deuteronomy 22:1-4)

Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely bring them again unto thy brother. 2 And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it home to thy house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him, 3 And so shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his garment; and so shalt thou do with every lost thing of thy brother'S, which he hath lost, and thou hast found: thou mayest not hide thyself, 4 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 22:1-4

359.

Responsibility is again demanded. What is involved in the expression, hide thyself?

360.

There is a reciprocal action involved here. How so?

361.

Thoughtfulness and helpfulness are such grant virtues. Why do we need laws for them? Cf. Luke 10:27-37; Luke 13:10-17.

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 22:1-4

You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep being driven away or stolen, and hide yourself from [your duty to help] them; you shall surely take them back to your brother. [Cp. Proverbs 24:12.]

2 And if your brother [the owner] is not near you, or if you do not know who he is, you shall bring the animal to your house, and it shall be with you until your brother comes looking for it; then you shall restore it to him.
3 And so shall you do with his donkey, or his garment, or with anything which your brother has lost and you have found; you shall not hide yourself from [your duty concerning] them.
4 You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fall down by the way, and hide from [your duty concerning] them; you shall surely help him to lift them up again.

COMMENT 22:1-4

See also Exodus 23:4-5. The finder of the lost article was not to avoid his responsibility of making a sincere effort to find the owner. And again, if his fellow Israelite's animal was found in need of help, he was not to avoid responsibility where he could be of assistance, much less exploit his brother's loss to his own advantage and betterment. Getting an animal or item back to its proper owner might involve putting himself out some, but the next day he might need the same services from his brother. By avoiding this duty, and hiding himself, he could claim the animal or item as his own. But this childish finders keepers, losers weepers philosophy was not endorsed.

Deuteronomy 22:4 expresses a principle of helpfulness toward those in need. In this case it is with the man's animalbut Jesus would have us to be even more helpful when dealing with our fellow manLuke 10:27-37; Luke 13:10-17.