Robbery, the unlawful taking of property from another with the intent to permanently deprive them of it, is a sin condemned throughout the Bible. It is often associated with violence and deceit, reflecting a heart that is far from God’s righteousness. The Bible provides several instances of robbery, illustrating its moral and spiritual implications.

1. Laban and Jacob (Genesis 31:19-32): In this narrative, Rachel, the wife of Jacob, steals her father Laban's household idols. While the act is not explicitly termed as robbery, it involves the unlawful taking of property. Jacob, unaware of Rachel's actions, declares, "If you find anyone who has your gods, he shall not live" (Genesis 31:32). This incident highlights the seriousness of taking what does not belong to oneself and the potential consequences of such actions.

2. Achan’s Sin (Joshua 7:1-26): Achan's act of taking forbidden items from Jericho is a form of robbery against God, as the spoils were devoted to the Lord. Achan confesses, "I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels. I coveted them and took them" (Joshua 7:21). His sin leads to Israel's defeat at Ai and ultimately results in his death, demonstrating the severe repercussions of robbing God.

3. David and Nabal (1 Samuel 25:2-38): While not a direct act of robbery, David's initial intent to harm Nabal and take provisions by force after being refused hospitality can be seen as an attempted robbery. Abigail, Nabal's wife, intervenes, preventing David from committing bloodshed and robbery. David acknowledges, "Blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you for restraining me from bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hands" (1 Samuel 25:33).

4. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37): Jesus tells of a man who fell among robbers, who "stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead" (Luke 10:30). This parable not only illustrates the brutality often associated with robbery but also contrasts the actions of the robbers with the compassion of the Good Samaritan, highlighting the call to love and care for one's neighbor.

5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:38): During the crucifixion of Jesus, two robbers were crucified alongside Him. "Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and one on His left" (Matthew 27:38). This event underscores the gravity of robbery as a crime deserving of severe punishment in the Roman context, while also illustrating the redemptive power of Christ, who offers forgiveness even to those guilty of such offenses.

6. Malachi’s Accusation (Malachi 3:8-10): The prophet Malachi accuses the Israelites of robbing God through their failure to bring tithes and offerings. "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings" (Malachi 3:8). This instance emphasizes that robbery is not limited to physical possessions but can also involve withholding what is due to God.

These instances reflect the broader biblical teaching that robbery is a violation of God’s commandments and an affront to His justice and holiness. The Bible consistently calls believers to honesty, integrity, and respect for the property and rights of others, aligning with the commandment, "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15).Judges 9:25
And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
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Luke 10:30
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Nave's Topical Index

St. Ambrose Shows by Instances that the Places in which those ...
... Ambrose shows by instances that the places in which those words were spoken help
to ... Himself came in the truth of His Body, "Who counted it not robbery that He ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvii st ambrose shows.htm

Non-Resistance
... It is unfortunate that in this, as in so many instances, controversy as to the ... which
refers to assaults on property, such as an attempt at legal robbery of a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/non-resistance.htm

He that is Unjust in the Least is Unjust Also in Much. Luke 16:10.
... V. Mention several instances where persons often manifest a want of principle ... will
commit petty thefts and depredations, that he will commit highway robbery. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/he that is unjust in.htm

The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
... and therefore will not condemn you for drunkenness, adultery, or robbery; but you ...
for which you have no excuse, though there are some other instances in which ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter v the sinner stripped.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 1, "In the Beginning was the ...
... These instances have a resemblance, but they have not a thorough equality: wherefore
they ... For he says, "He thought it not robbery to be equal with God." [3586 ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxvii on the words.htm

From the Apology Addressed to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.
... goods, taking occasion from the orders issued, carry on their robbery without any ...
by thy pious progenitors, who frequently and in many instances rebuked by ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/ii from the apology addressed.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... who under the name of Carlists plunder friend and foe, and to robbery join cruelty ...
In many instances, when the peasants of the neighbourhood have come with the ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 28.htm

The Object of Missions, and Various Modes of Operation.
... I have a pleasing recollection of many instances when persons were evidently ... from
generation to generation lived by thuggery and dacoity (murder and robbery). ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xi the object of.htm

The Mutiny of 1857-58.
... strangers, and the history of the world furnishes abundant instances of such an ... This
honour is quite consistent with licentiousness, robbery, plunder, and even ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xvi the mutiny of.htm

Of Uncharitable Truth.
... it will not always be the sin of Detraction, because in some instances there may ...
steal to give alms, and God himself has declared that he hates robbery for a ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section vi of uncharitable truth.htm

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