“Have you ever had an accident?” That used to be the opening line of a random phone call.
These days it’s more like, “We are calling you about the accident you have had.” When in actual fact you’ve been blessed never to have had what they describe.
They probably didn’t have public liability insurance and risk assessments in Moses’ day. They probably also didn’t have “Danger: wet floor” signs either.
But what did exist in their law was this: you are responsible for what you have been negligent about.
““If anyone uncovers a pit or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the one who opened the pit must pay the owner for the loss and take the dead animal in exchange.”
Exodus 21:33-34
This was carelessness.
Guilt is not only for when we intend to harm. “I didn’t mean it so it’s not my fault!” This wasn’t good enough in those days neither for our times.
The one who dug a hole didn’t do it to capture an animal. For whatever reason, the digger left something unfinished and it was dangerous.
Have we left something uncovered?
Have we left something unsaid?
Have we left something unrepaired?
According to these verses, if you dug the hole or left it open, you are responsible. You cannot fall on “I didn’t mean for that to happen”.
Do you have an uncovered pit in your life right now?
What needs fixing?
