Chapter 5
Leviticus 5:4 - Here we may recall the words of Jesus "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36, NASB) In the present verse, it is not the content of the word, but the thoughtlessness of the word. Notice that God says, "whether good or bad." If it is thoughtless and with an oath, it will bring guilt, regardless of intent. There are several examples of people giving a thoughtless oath. Saul gave an oath of death for who ate food before evening (1 Samuel 14:24ff). Jonathan, his son, had not heard about the oath and ate some honey. It was too late. The Lord counted Jonathan's action as a sin (see vs. 44-45). Jonathan died an early death in battle (1 Samuel 31). For another instance, read Jephthah's Vow: Judges 11:29-40. Yet another instance is when Jacob vows death to the person who stole Laban's idols (Gen 31:32). He did not know it was his own wife Rachel that had taken them. Not many years later, she dies an untimely death during child-birth (Gen 35:16-19). Vows and oaths are not just forbidden because of what they can do to you, but what they can do to those around you.
Leviticus 5:17-19 - In Western law there is a general legal principle: "Ignorance is no excuse of the law." In other words, if you break the law, you cannot claim ignorance and get away with the crime. The Lord is making sure that the Israelites understand this principle as well. Verse 19 is a proof positive of the Lord's intention: "He was certainly guilty before the Lord" (NASB) even though it was an unintentional sin, and he sinned unaware.
NOTE: In the BHL (Hebrew text - Biblia Hebraica Leningradensia), chapter 5 runs through the NASB chapter 6:1-7 and begins chapter 6 with the NASB 6:8.
I have one problem with the NASB rendering of the last word in this verse. They write, "punishment." However, the word in the Hebrew is really "guilt" or "iniquity." This is particularly injurious because the phraseology in Hebrew is consistent with other passages and shows a common theme. See comments on Leviticus 17:16 for more discussion.
Leviticus 5:20-26 - Principle of restitution: This is not a very fun aspect of the life devoted to the Lord, but it is necessary. In Wales, during the revival of 1908-1909, many awakened souls were compelled by the Spirit of God to return goods that were stolen or to confess sins and make restitution. After becoming a Christian, it is necessary to make restitution - as the Lord leads - for previous wrongs. If something was stolen, it needs to be returned or paid for. If another sin was committed, it needs to be confessed and reconciliation sought. This is done as the Lord leads. You will know when it is the Lord. The thing will not go away. It will keep coming back up. You will read about it and see it in everything until you have followed through with the prompting of the Lord.
