There are many phrases that we have heard as believers that can be misleading. One that I would like us to discuss is the idea that Satan needs to pay back seven times or sevenfold what was stolen. The basis of this statement is Proverbs 6:30-31, which calls for restitution from the thief. This scripture is often complemented by John 10:10, which mentions the thief.
Proverbs 6:30-31 and John 10:10, when reviewed exegetically, will provide you with a different perspective of who the thieves are. For instance, a thief’s judgment in Proverbs 6 stems from the Levitical laws. But that is not the point I want us to discuss. Let’s look at the Biblical accounts of destruction and restoration. When the initial world was destroyed through the flood, it was God who restored the world. When Isaac sowed in a dry land amongst his enemies, it was God who restored with the hundredfold harvest and continually made him wealthy. When Joseph and Daniel were unjustly treated, God promoted them. When Job was tormented and harassed by Satan, it was God who restored Job’s health, wealth, and family. Under several leaders, God helped the Israelites in war, allowing them to gather plenteous spoils. Lastly, the Scripture commonly used for compensation and restoration is Joel 2:18-27. In addition to Joel’s promises for restoration, many throughout the Bible point to God as the restorer and the avenger. (Isaiah 40-61, Zephaniah 3:9-20, Ephesians 3:20, Hebrew 11:6, 1 Corinthians 2:9). In Revelation, we see the ultimate reward given to believers. These accounts establish a pattern -It is God who rewards and restores!
Second, let’s assume that satan is a thief who steals, kills, and destroys. If he were to return sevenfold or seven times, it would be worse than what he stole, don’t you agree? Believers have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light. Out of death, we are now resurrected through Life in Christ. Why would anyone want anything from the kingdom of darkness? Lastly, God is the Creator and Sustainer of everything he created; the devil cannot create anything, let alone give it back to you. Only God restores; satan has nothing good to offer. So please seek God’s compensation, not satan’s.