Exodus 22: “Justice That Restores and Worship That Is Pure”
How to Read Exodus 22 Correctly
Exodus 22 belongs to the Old Covenant civil law given to Israel at a specific moment in salvation history.
Its purpose is not cruelty, but protection — especially of the poor, the weak, and the community’s spiritual integrity.
The Catholic Church teaches clearly:
These laws are not directly applied today, but they reveal enduring moral truths fulfilled and transformed in Christ.
As Augustine of Hippo explains:
“The Old Law restrained evil from without; Christ heals it from within.”
(On the Spirit and the Letter)
1. From Punishment to Restoration
Exodus 21 focused on injury and responsibility.
Exodus 22 focuses on loss and restoration.
The shift is important:
God does not aim first at punishment
He aims at repairing what was broken
This is a cornerstone of Catholic moral teaching.
St Augustine of Hippo writes:
“Justice is fulfilled not when another suffers, but when what was harmed is healed.”
(Sermons)
2. Theft Requires Restitution, Not Revenge
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep… he shall repay.” (Ex 22:1)
The law requires repayment greater than the loss.
Why?
Because theft damages:
trust
livelihood
community
Justice must acknowledge that harm.
The Church has always taught:
True repentance includes making amends where possible.
3. Protection of Life Even When Crime Occurs
“If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies…” (vv. 2–3)
This passage carefully distinguishes:
immediate danger
from revenge after the fact
Human life remains sacred — even the life of the guilty.
This careful distinction shaped later Catholic moral teaching on:
self-defence
proportional force
4. Poverty Is Never Criminalised
“If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.” (v. 3)
This does not mean slavery as punishment.
It means:
work to repay debt
restoration of justice
God does not allow the poor simply to be crushed.
The Fathers saw here God’s insistence that poverty does not erase dignity.
5. Negligence Is Morally Serious
“If a man lets his field be grazed over…” (v. 5)
This is about carelessness, not malice.
Catholic moral teaching is clear:
Harm caused by neglect still matters.
Responsibility includes foresight.
6. Accountability for Accidental Damage
“If fire breaks out and catches in thorns…” (v. 6)
Even unintended harm requires accountability.
This forms the basis of later Catholic reflection on:
social responsibility
indirect harm
7. Trust Must Be Honoured
“If a man gives to his neighbour money or goods to keep…” (vv. 7–8)
God protects trust between people.
Communities survive on trust:
loans
shared goods
mutual care
Breaking trust damages more than property.
8. God Is the Final Judge of Hidden Truth
“The cause of both parties shall come before God.” (v. 9)
Not all truth is visible.
This verse teaches humility:
Final judgment belongs to God.
The Church preserves this by insisting on:
conscience
patience
avoidance of rash judgment
9. Responsibility Even Without Malice
“If it was stolen… he shall make restitution.” (v. 12)
Possession brings responsibility.
This applies today in Catholic moral teaching to:
employers
caretakers
leaders
10. Life Is Sacred and Must Not Be Exploited
“You shall not allow a sorceress to live.” (v. 18)
This verse is often misunderstood.
The Fathers explain clearly:
this concerns practices that destroy trust in God
exploit fear
manipulate the vulnerable
It is about protecting the community from spiritual harm, not promoting cruelty.
St John Chrysostom explains:
“God condemns what enslaves the soul and preys upon fear.”
(Homilies)
This verse must be explained carefully.
What This Is Not Saying
It is not a command Christians apply today
It is not a licence for violence
It is not a justification for witch-hunts or persecution
The Church explicitly rejects all such actions.
What Is Being Condemned
In the ancient world, “sorcery” referred to organised religious practices that:
invoked false spiritual powers
exploited fear
manipulated the vulnerable
replaced trust in God with control techniques
This was not private superstition, but public spiritual deception.
The concern is spiritual harm, not superstition or ignorance.
As John Chrysostom explains:
“These practices enslave the soul by fear and false promises.”
(Homilies)
11. Sexual Exploitation Is Condemned
“Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death.” (v. 19)
This protects:
human dignity
moral order
the boundary between creation and corruption
The Church has always taught that such acts are destructive to persons and society.
12. Worship Must Be Exclusive
“Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the Lord alone shall be devoted to destruction.” (v. 20)
This echoes the First Commandment.
Worship is not neutral.
It shapes the heart.
The Fathers insist:
False worship always harms people eventually.
13. The Stranger Is Protected
“You shall not wrong or oppress a stranger.” (v. 21)
This is one of the most powerful moral commands in the Old Testament.
Why?
Because Israel remembers suffering.
Catholic social teaching flows directly from this:
The vulnerable are not a threat; they are a responsibility.
St Bede the Venerable comments:
“God commands mercy toward the stranger because mercy preserves memory.”
(Commentary on Exodus)
14. Widows and Orphans Are Under God’s Protection
“You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.” (v. 22)
God speaks personally here.
He identifies Himself as:
defender
avenger
protector
This shapes the Church’s permanent concern for:
the poor
the vulnerable
the forgotten
St Augustine says:
“God takes the place of the father for those who have none.”
(Sermons)
15. God Hears the Cry of the Oppressed
“If they cry out to Me, I will surely hear.” (v. 23)
This echoes Exodus 3.
God hears suffering prayer.
This is not poetry — it is a promise.
16. Lending Must Not Exploit
“If you lend money to any of My people… you shall not exact interest.” (v. 25)
This protects the poor from being trapped in debt.
The Church later develops this into:
condemnation of usury
principles of just lending
Economic activity must serve human dignity.
17. Compassion Overrides Legal Rights
“If you ever take your neighbour’s cloak… you shall restore it before sunset.” (v. 26)
Even lawful claims are limited by mercy.
The Fathers loved this verse.
St Gregory the Great writes:
“Law without mercy becomes cruelty.”
(Moralia on Job)
18. Respect for God and Authority
“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” (v. 28)
Speech matters.
Reverence protects community order.
The Church maintains this balance:
respectful speech
legitimate critique
rejection of contempt
19. God Claims the First and the Best
“You shall give Me the firstborn.” (v. 29)
This echoes Exodus 13.
God claims:
priority
trust
gratitude
Faith gives God the first place, not leftovers.
20. A Holy People
“You shall be men consecrated to Me.” (v. 31)
This is the conclusion of the chapter.
All the laws serve one goal:
a holy people who reflect God’s justice and mercy.
The Church reads this as fulfilled in Christ:
holiness of life
charity in action
purity of worship
Key Catholic Themes in Exodus 22
| Theme | Catholic Meaning |
| Restitution | Repair over revenge |
| Dignity | Protection of the vulnerable |
| Mercy | Limits on legal rights |
| Worship | Shapes moral life |
| Justice | Proportionate and humane |
| Holiness | Lived in daily actions |
Christ at the Centre of Exodus 22
The Fathers read this chapter in light of Christ:
Restitution → repentance and conversion
Protection of the poor → Christ among the least
Exclusive worship → loving God above all
Mercy over strict rights → the Gospel ethic
St Augustine summarises:
“What the Law commanded in shadow, Christ fulfilled in love.”
(Sermons)
Spiritual Application
Make amends where you have caused harm.
Protect the vulnerable deliberately.
Let mercy guide justice.
Keep worship pure and central.
Live holiness in ordinary choices.
Closing Prayer
Lord God of justice and compassion,
You command us to restore what is broken
and to defend those who cannot defend themselves.
Shape our hearts by Your mercy,
guide our actions by Your justice,
and keep us faithful in worship and life,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 