“People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.” (Proverbs 6:30-35, NIV)

Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky, is a classic 1866 novel about a man named Rodion Raskolnikov who commits a murder to prove that he is a superior being capable of justifying his crime for the greater good. However, after his murder, he goes through emotional distress of guilt, paranoia, and internal conflict rather than feeling a sense of righteousness. It ultimately leads him to confession and spiritual renewal through suffering. It explores various themes of human guilt, conscience, skepticism, morality, and redemption, and offers us a picture of society. Today’s reading reminded me of this book as Solomon offers a picture of his society. It says,

“People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away. For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.”

This passage draws a sharp contrast between two types of crimes of “theft” and their consequences. The first story of theft is about a man who stole something, whether food or money, to buy food, because he was “hungry.” Solomon surmises that people will not “despise” such a person, as they can sympathize with his circumstances of crime. However, he also concludes that if such a thief is caught, he will be punished for his crime. The second story of theft is about a man who commits “adultery” with another man’s wife. Solomon explains that even though he will be set free from his crime by paying “ransom” and “many gifts,” he will not be fully free. People will not sympathize with such a person, and his punishment of “blows,” “disgrace,” and “shame” can never be wiped away. Yes, God can forgive such a person by His grace and save him, but it doesn’t mean he will be forgiven by society.

In addition, Solomon explains that her “husband” will become enraged by jealousy and show no mercy when he takes revenge. He described it in two words: “husband’s fury.” You see, the man has stolen something valuable from the husband. He has not just stolen his wife, but also his dignity and trust, and has violated the sacred bond of marriage. His hurt and anger will not be settled by monetary restitution or gifts, but he will seek “revenge.” People call this act of vengeance a crime of passion, which is “a violent act committed under a sudden, intense emotional impulse. Usually triggered by the discovery of infidelity, jealousy, or extreme provocation” (Wikipedia). Usually, society will take the side of the husband over the man who commits adultery against him.

A perfect illustration of this is when David commits adultery against Uriah and is confronted by Prophet Nathan. He is told of a parable that a rich man has killed a poor man’s “ewe lamb” to feed his guests, rather than from one of his many flocks. After hearing the story, David becomes greatly angered and declares, “As the LORD lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die” (2 Sam.12:1-5). You see, even David, who was guilty, became enraged by such action and ultimately condemned himself.

The bottom line is this: we can justify our wrongdoings in life and even receive sympathy from society, but we can’t escape its consequences and punishments. Some wrongdoings are more horrendous than others and are liable to more restitution. It ultimately points to the cross of Jesus Christ. At the cross, God satisfied the law’s demands by placing our sins upon Jesus, who died in our place. In this exchange, the repentant sinner is clothed in Christ’s righteousness—securing redemption from sin, death, and the coming day of judgment, where no other ransom or gift can suffice.

• Why do you think people will “not despise” a thief who steals to satisfy his hunger but not the adulterer?
• Do you think there will be degrees of punishment in hell?
• Do you think there will be degrees of reward in heaven?