Retroactive Legislation
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17 NASB
To make propitiation – What do you need to do in order for God to forgive you? Before you shout, “Nothing! God forgives because He loves. It doesn’t depend on me,” consider the parable of the forgiving master and the unworthy servant (Matthew 18:23-35). In that parable, forgiveness of the impossibly enormous debt is based on the Master’s compassion. But when the servant shows no transformation as a result of this compassion, the forgiveness is rescinded. In fact, Yeshua boldly states that unless we forgive with compassionate hearts, we will not receive forgiveness. This isn’t the only place where forgiveness seems to be contingent upon worthy response. The Lord’s prayer contains the same thought. The Tanakh’s view of atonement carries the same idea of human accountability.
This biblical theme makes the translation of Hebrew 2:17 particularly difficult. Why? Because the important verb, hilaskomai (to propitiate), is only used twice in the New Testament (here and in Luke 18:13) and it isn’t used in the way that ordinary Greek usage would demand. In ordinary Greek thinking about religion, propitiation is something human beings do to appease the gods. Typical actions include rituals, sacrifices, dances and prayers. The Greeks attempted to obtain favor from the gods by assuaging the gods’ anger. In contemporary society, good luck charms or athletic rituals are left-over signs of this same kind of thinking. But none of this finds its way into biblical thinking. The startling difference in the New Testament use of the idea of propitiation is that it is applied to God, not to men. In other words, it is God Who takes the steps needed to bring about reconciliation, not men. God seeks our favor. He acts to resolve the conflict.
Does that mean we have nothing to do? No, it doesn’t. Did you notice that the master in the parable rescinds forgiveness after the servant demonstrates that compassion has had no effect on his subsequent behavior? The servant does not do anything initially to deserve forgiveness. He is forgiven because the king’s heart is moved. The only reason for forgiveness is the king’s response to the servant’s desperate need. The king takes the first steps. But as a result, something is expected. The servant is expected to emulate the same compassionate response toward others. When the servant does not show this kind of compassion, the king determines that the servant was unworthy of the initial forgiveness. Propitiation may begin with God but it ends with us. This is exactly the opposite of pagan thinking.
Now we can draw a connection between hilaskomai and kipper. In 83 of the 100 occurrences of kipper in the LXX, the Hebrew word for atonement is translated by the Greek word exilaskomai. This Greek word is never used in the New Testament, but its frequent occurrence in the LXX shows us that the Hebrew idea of atonement is closely connected with the concept of propitiation. Why is this important? It is important because Hebrew atonement has the same dual conditions. God acts toward His people in ways that establish the covenant relationship and vouch for His faithfulness. But the people are expected to reciprocate with lives that display the same actions toward others. Yeshua’s parable is entirely Hebraic. God loves in order that we might love.
Forgiveness without the subsequent acts of transformation results in the reverse of atonement. Until I respond to God’s grace with my own display of grace, I am not forgiven. Now you know why there are specific actions of atonement in the Torah associated with offenses against others. Forgiveness is not complete until restitution is complete. God expects us to repair and restore all that we can as a sign that we have experienced His grace. We atone because He had compassion.
Topical Index: atonement, propitiation, hilaskomai, kipper, Hebrews 2:17
“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,” (1 Corinthians 1.22,23)
“Here’s your sign.”- Christ crucified. Done. Finished. Accomplished. Paid in Full. Get it? Got It? Good.
Grace is free (Yes)- but it is not cheap (Yes)
What was the ‘cost’ of our salvation? There is no free lunch. Somebody pays. There is no “free” salvation. Somebody paid- (and paid “in full”). Who was this Man and what was the price He paid for me? -you tell me.
Yes, Tell me His-story, – please. Not one mention of “Christ crucified.” – Why? – This shall be a sign unto you- you shall find the babe..- the ONE- the Sacrifice for Sinners- crucified upon the tslav of Calvary. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? – Pay no attention to the ONE who received thirty nine lashes with the whip. Pay no attention to the ONE who wore the crown of thorns upon His sinless brow. Pay no attention to the ONE who willingly took the nails in His hands and feet. Pay no attention to the ONE whose dying breath has brought me life.. – How dare we…. not.
Consider please, (both Jew and Greek) the price that was paid for our redemption. The sins of the world- every male and female from Adam since- laid upon His shoulders. The full force and fury of the wrath of G-d toward sin “atoned”-“propitiated” by the blood of the Lamb.
Why am I able to forgive? – Because I (first) have been forgiven. He has forgiven me. And until then- there is no way (He is the Way) I am able to forgive. Forgiveness always costs the one who forgives. Friends,- what did our forgiveness ‘cost’ the Father? -Wonder no more- it was the blood of the Lamb. Now wonder can truly begin. What is the worth of one soul? Consider the price. Consider the worth or value of His blood. Worship (worth-ship) can now begin- for ‘both’ the Jew and the Gentile, for the ground is level at the foot of the cross.
How dare we mention,discuss or even think about ‘forgiveness, atonement or propititation’ without the mention of the Sacrifice of our Savior.
“In union with Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of God’s grace.” (Ephesians 1.7)
“In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9.22)
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” (Leviticus 17:11)
“This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26.28)
What do the scriptures say? Mercy there (where?) was great- and grace was free (but at great cost) pardon (forgiveness) there (where?) was multiplied to me, -there (where?) my burdened soul found liberty- “At Calvary.”
Looking for signs and wonders? – Then go, and kneel at the cross of Christ. There the Creator incarnate, the Word made flesh was atoning for my sin and the sins of the world. Wonder of wonders..- that Thou, My G-d, -would die for me.. Did e’re such love and sorrow meet? Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Having forgotten that man’s basic problem is moral or ethical, the Torah dropped into the background and the word “repent” was dropped from the vocabulary.
Yes, repentance was replaced by Valium and a therapy session on the stress of childhood.
You hit that nail on the head for sure… ♥
jan
That is funny, sad and true all at the same time
Skip, this explanation of atonement was awesome! I really enjoy your teachings coming through everyday. Thank you!
Confess your sins one to another..- I “erred.” I said yesterday to a group of guys I work with who were discussing (I should say “blaming”) the rich bankers and the corrupt politicians for the problems of the nation. I made the comment “morality (and the lack thereof) is the problem. I thought about this further and came up with “integrity” and then arrive at the correct conclusion- the problem is “sin.” Sin is what is wrong with this country. Old-fashioned rebelling against G-d, His ways, and His words, His wisdom and His will- sin. All (both Democrats and Republicans) have gone astray- we have turned every one to his own way (not G-d’s way) and the LORD has laid on Him- the iniquity of us all. Forgiveness is available, but not all have availed themselves of it. “Ask and you shall receive” involves the action of -“asking.”
We cannot give that which we do not possess. In order to truly forgive someone- we must first, ourselves, be forgiven. We receive forgiveness, grace and mercy in order that we might show forgiveness, grace and mercy to those who ‘trespass against us.’ I cannot be rightly-related with my neighbor until I am first rightly-related to G-d. Peace with G-d will manifest itself in my being at peace with my neighbor. “For if you have these qualities in abundance, they keep you from being barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.” (2 Peter 1.8)