Read Pro. 6:30-35
I think I have read this eight times and still don't quite understand its implication but I'm going to make a stab at it. "Don't despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry." I think it is saying to have compassion on those who steal because they are hungry and just trying to live. It's the next part I don't understand: "But if he be found, he must restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house." It seems to me that if we are truly compassionate we would hope that he didn't get caught because then he would lose everything. Maybe that's the point. I've been to third world countries where stealing was a job description right up there with prostitution and all their worldly possessions wouldn't be enough to buy a meal. Anyway, we are not to judge and they are not to steal.
The next few verses have to do with the adulterer. Where the thief is stealing to satisfy his soul, what the adulterer does destroys his soul. His recompense is dishonor and a spot like leprosy which neither can be wiped away. At least the thief can pay his debt but the adulterer is plagued with his without remedy. The person that is stolen from can forgive because he realizes the person did it just to survive, but the husband who has had his wife stolen can not be repaid nor will be forgive easily.
Lord, give us a heart to live in your kingdom where all our hungers are satisfied in you and we don't have to steal to get satisfied.
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