Breakers
Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the LORD speaks, “Sons I have reared and brought up, but they have revolted against Me.” Isaiah 1:2 NASB
Revolted – God speaks to Israel and Judah, but His words have the same condemning impact on us. “They have revolted” is the Hebrew pashoo. The truth is that we also have rebelled. The verb pasha is about breaking a relationship between two parties. This is reneging on promises, revolting against agreements, casting aside alliances, refusing to live by a higher authority. We are guilty, just as Israel and Judah were guilty. This isn’t just sin. This is war! War against the sovereignty of God, against His right to be obeyed and worshipped, war against His way of life, against Him personally as our God! This is sin and sin and sin again, claiming that we have a right to do what we please.
Essentially, rebellion is the rejection of God’s authority. That means it is the rejection of God’s divine right to tell us how we should live, worship and engage each other. That means it is the rejection of God’s directions about how we act toward our spouses, our children and our neighbors. That means it is the rejection of God’s intentions for the way we conduct business, the way we identify ourselves, and even the food we eat. Rebellion is not limited to infamous, scandalous, cold-blooded hostility. Rebellion is the subtle rejection of God’s sovereignty over every part of our lives. Rebellion is the act of continuing to do things our way when we know God wants us to do it His way.
Amazingly, God forgives even this. In fact, in Exodus 34:7, the categories of sin that God specifically declares He lifts away (nasa’) includes pesha, the sin of relationship breaking. In its depths, this kind of forgiveness may only be possible at the divine level. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons we can’t quite fathom who God is. No human being seems genuinely capable of completely lifting away the crushing weight of someone who continuously rejects a favored relationship. Eventually the pattern of spurning such transparency eats away at the heart of the promise until tolerance is about all we can manage. But not God! According to Exodus 34:6-7, God’s own self-definition, He continues to carry the weight of such insults to His faithfulness. He lifts the burden as if it were His own, even when our subtle rebellion continues unabated. Only God seems able to do such a thing. In the end, forgiveness is inherently divine.
We learn two important things from this reflection on rebellion and forgiveness. First, we learn that all of our pretentions to righteousness are far from the mark. Even a decision to mistreat or ignore the smallest of God’s expressed desires is a sign of pasha. And how many of these signs do we really carry as badges of self-determination?
Secondly, we learn of the immense heart of God. We discover His forgiveness extends far beyond anything we could imagine and certainly far beyond our efforts to duplicate His action. We learn that our lives depend on the ground of forgiveness. And perhaps we are humbled enough to know that we have much more to confess.
Topical Index: pasha, rebellion, forgiveness, nasa’, Isaiah 1:2, Exodus 34:7
Wow! A hard hit like a giant breaker (wave) crashing against a sea wall! May every wall we have erected against Yah be identified and be brought crashing down! Yah, help!! We humble ourselves before the awesome/awful and tender You!!
Amen and Amen
Needed just this today. Thanks, Skip!
Forgiven
~ Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do ~
~ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins ~ (Matthew 9.6)
Forgiveness is huge. (We ought to pray, – we are taught to pray) ~ (Father,) forgive us our debts, forgive us our trespasses, (even) as we forgive those who trespass against us ~
And do you see this as another “command?” of God? ~ Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you ~
David knew, (up close and personal!) ~ O LORD, You are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help ~ May we?
Unfailing-unfaltering-unchanging (blood-covenant) Love. Here’s “that” word again.. “chesed.” Loving-kindnesses. Why?
Because of our LORD Jesus. For Jesus ‘sake and in His Name,- because of Calvary, we have the forgiveness-cleansing-and covering of sins that we so desperately need.
Peter thought he was being “oh, so generous..” (-maybe “o so pious”), when he came to Jesus and said, “LORD, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Do you remember the answer The Messiah gave to him? Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.… The generosity of forgiveness.
David inquired, ~ Is there any left of the house of Saul, that I may show him “loving-kindness” (chesed) for Jonathan’s sake? ~ David and Jonathan (the king’s son and rightful heir to the throne) were blood-covenant “friends.” Here are friends in the true sense of the word, those who are closer to each other than (milk) brothers. And the beneficiary of this “loving-kindness” (chesed) was crippled and cowering Mephibosheth who was lame in both his feet and yet, this man, for Jonathan’s sake, sat at the king’s table and ate with him. This man had servants from the house of Ziba to attend to his every need. This man was well-provided for. All because of “chesed,” – the blood-covenant of friendship between David and Jonathan.
Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul and the son of Jonathan (whom David loved) knew (up close and personal) the “favor” of the king. Once living a desolate life in the land of Lodebar ( a land of barreness), he now is living in the lap of luxury, provision and protection, peace and prosperity in the presence of the King. Could we say that things “changed” for Mephibosheth? (True) hope and change. Some may even go so far as to call it- “amazing grace.”
A Psalm of David. A Maskil. ~ How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!…~ Yes, David, “how blessed..”
~ Ask, and you (too) will receive..~
O LORD, You are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love (chesed) for all who ask for Your help. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and give heed to the voice of my supplications! ~ (Psalm 86.5,6)
Doesn’t the Bible teach us that we are to keep Yahwey’s commandments and statutes throughout the scriptures? I think of Psalm 119 which is very long but also a complete guide for us on how we should not only keep the commandments but love them as well!
א (Alef)
119 How happy are those whose way of life is blameless,
who live by the Torah of Adonai!
2 How happy are those who observe his instruction,
who seek him wholeheartedly!
3 They do nothing wrong
but live by his ways.
4 You laid down your precepts
for us to observe with care.
5 May my ways be steady
in observing your laws.
6 Then I will not be put to shame,
since I will have fixed my sight on all your mitzvot.
7 I thank you with a sincere heart
as I learn your righteous rulings.
8 I will observe your laws;
don’t completely abandon me!
ב (Bet)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
don’t let me stray from your mitzvot.
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I won’t sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, Adonai!
Teach me your laws.
13 I proclaim with my mouth
all the rulings you have spoken.
14 I rejoice in the way of your instruction
more than in any kind of wealth.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and keep my eyes on your ways.
16 I will find my delight in your regulations.
I will not forget your word.
ג (Gimel)
17 Deal generously with your servant;
then I will live and observe your word.
18 Open my eyes, so that I will see
wonders from your Torah.
19 Though I’m just a wanderer on the earth,
don’t hide your mitzvot from me.
20 I am continually consumed
with longing for your rulings.
21 You rebuke the proud, the cursed,
who stray from your mitzvot.
22 Remove scorn and contempt from me,
because I observe your instruction.
23 Even when princes sit and plot against me,
your servant meditates on your laws.
24 Also your instructions are my delight;
they are my counselors.
ד (Dalet)
25 I lie prostrate in the dust;
revive me, in keeping with your word.
26 I told you of my ways, and you answered me;
teach me your laws.
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wonders.
28 I am melting away from anxiety and grief;
renew my strength, in keeping with your word.
29 Keep deceitful ways far from me,
and favor me with your Torah.
30 I choose the way of trust;
I set your rulings [before me].
31 I cling to your instruction;
Adonai, don’t let me be put to shame!
32 I will run the way of your mitzvot,
for you have broadened my understanding.
ה (Heh)
33 Teach me, Adonai, the way of your laws;
keeping them will be its own reward for me.
34 Give me understanding; then I will keep your Torah;
I will observe it with all my heart.
35 Guide me on the path of your mitzvot,
for I take pleasure in it.
36 Bend my heart toward your instructions
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
with your ways, give me life.
38 Fulfill your promise, which you made to your servant,
which you made to those who fear you.
39 Avert the disgrace which I dread,
for your rulings are good.
40 See how I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness, give me life!
ו (Vav)
41 May your grace come to me, Adonai,
your salvation, as you promised;
42 then I will have an answer for those who taunt me;
for I trust in your word.
43 Don’t take away completely my power to speak the truth;
for I put my hope in your rulings;
44 and I will keep your Torah always,
forever and ever.
45 I will go wherever I like,
for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will speak of your instructions even to kings
without being ashamed.
47 I will delight myself in your mitzvot,
which I have loved.
48 I will lift my hands to your mitzvot, which I love;
and I will meditate on your laws.
ז (Zayin)
49 Remember your promise to your servant,
through which you have given me hope.
50 In my distress my comfort is this:
that your promise gives me life.
51 Though the arrogant scorn me completely,
I have not turned away from your Torah.
52 Adonai, I keep in mind your age-old rulings;
in them I take comfort.
53 Fury seizes me when I think of the wicked,
because they abandon your Torah.
54 Your laws have become my songs
wherever I make my home.
55 I remember your name, Adonai, at night;
and I observe your Torah.
56 This [comfort] has come to me,
because I observe your precepts.
ח (Het)
57 Adonai, I say that my task
is to observe your words.
58 I beg your favor with my whole heart;
show pity to me, in keeping with your promise.
59 I thought about my ways
and turned my feet toward your instruction.
60 I hurry, I don’t delay,
to observe your mitzvot.
61 Even when the cords of the wicked close around me,
I don’t forget your Torah.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
because of your righteous rulings.
63 I am a friend of all who fear you,
of those who observe your precepts.
64 The earth, Adonai, is full of your grace;
teach me your laws.
ט (Tet)
65 You have treated your servant well,
Adonai, in keeping with your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
because I trust in your mitzvot.
67 Before I was humbled, I used to go astray;
but now I observe your word.
68 You are good, and you do good;
teach me your laws.
69 The arrogant are slandering me,
but I will wholeheartedly keep your precepts.
70 Their hearts are as thick as fat,
but I take delight in your Torah.
71 It is for my good that I have been humbled;
it was so that I would learn your laws.
72 The Torah you have spoken means more to me
than a fortune in gold and silver.
י (Yud)
73 Your hands made and formed me;
give me understanding, so I can learn your mitzvot.
74 Those who fear you rejoice at the sight of me,
because I put my hope in your word.
75 I know, Adonai, that your rulings are righteous,
that even when you humble me you are faithful.
76 Let your grace comfort me,
in keeping with your promise to your servant.
77 Show me pity, and I will live,
for your Torah is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed, because they wrong me with lies;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me,
along with those who know your instruction.
80 Let my heart be pure in your laws,
so that I won’t be put to shame.
כ (Kaf)
81 I am dying to know your salvation;
my hope is in your word.
82 My eyes fail from watching for your promise;
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have shriveled like a wineskin in a smoky room;
still, I don’t forget your laws.
84 How long can your servant stay alive?
When will you bring judgment on my persecutors?
85 The arrogant have dug pits for me to fall in;
this is not in keeping with your Torah!
86 All your mitzvot [show your] faithfulness;
they are hounding me with lies; help me!
87 They have nearly ended my life on earth,
but I have not abandoned your precepts.
88 In keeping with your grace, revive me;
and I will observe your spoken instructions.
ל (Lamed)
89 Your word continues forever, Adonai,
firmly fixed in heaven;
90 your faithfulness through all generations;
you established the earth, and it stands.
91 Yes, it stands today, in keeping with your rulings;
for all things are your servants.
92 If your Torah had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my distress.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for with them you have made me alive.
94 I am yours; save me
because I seek your precepts.
95 The wicked hope to destroy me,
but I focus on your instruction.
96 I see the limits of all perfection,
but your mitzvah has no bounds.
מ (Mem)
97 How I love your Torah!
I meditate on it all day.
98 I am wiser than my foes,
because your mitzvot are mine forever.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
because I meditate on your instruction.
100 I understand more than my elders,
because I keep your precepts.
101 I keep my feet from every evil way,
in order to observe your word.
102 I don’t turn away from your rulings,
because you have instructed me.
103 How sweet to my tongue is your promise,
truly sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 From your precepts I gain understanding;
this is why I hate every false way.
נ (Nun)
105 Your word is a lamp for my foot
and light on my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
that I will observe your righteous rulings.
107 I am very much distressed;
Adonai, give me life, in keeping with your word.
108 Please accept my mouth’s voluntary offerings, Adonai;
and teach me your rulings.
109 I am continually taking my life in my hands,
yet I haven’t forgotten your Torah.
110 The wicked have set a trap for me,
yet I haven’t strayed from your precepts.
111 I take your instruction as a permanent heritage,
because it is the joy of my heart.
112 I have resolved to obey your laws
forever, at every step.
ס (Samekh)
113 I hate doubleminded people,
but I love your Torah.
114 You are my hiding-place and shield;
I put my hope in your word.
115 Leave me alone, you evildoers,
so that I can keep my God’s mitzvot.
116 Uphold me, as you promised; and I will live;
don’t disappoint me in my hope.
117 Support me; and I will be saved,
always putting my attention on your laws.
118 You reject all who stray from your laws,
for what they deceive themselves with is false.
119 You discard the wicked of the earth like slag;
this is why I love your instruction.
120 My body trembles for fear of you;
your rulings make me afraid.
ע (‘Ayin)
121 I have done what is just and right;
don’t abandon me to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being;
don’t let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail from watching for your salvation
and for [the fulfillment of] your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant in accordance with your grace,
and teach me your laws.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding,
so that I can know your instruction.
126 The time has come for Adonai to act,
because they are breaking your Torah.
127 Therefore I love your mitzvot
more than gold, more than fine gold.
128 Thus I direct my steps by [your] precepts;
every false way I hate.
פ (Peh)
129 Your instruction is a wonder;
this is why I follow it.
130 Your words are a doorway that lets in light,
giving understanding to the thoughtless.
131 My mouth is wide open, as I pant
with longing for your mitzvot.
132 Turn to me, and show me your favor;
in keeping with [your] judgment for those who love your name.
133 Guide my footsteps by your word;
don’t let any kind of sin rule me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,
and I will observe your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant,
and teach me your laws.
136 Rivers of tears flow down from my eyes,
because they don’t observe your Torah.
צ (Tzadeh)
137 You are righteous, Adonai;
and your rulings are upright.
138 You have commanded your instructions
in righteousness and great faithfulness.
139 My zeal is destroying me,
because my foes have forgotten your words.
140 Your word is refined to complete purity,
and your servant loves it.
141 I may be small and despised,
but I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is eternal righteousness,
and your Torah is truth.
143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me,
but your mitzvot are my delight.
144 Your instruction is righteous forever;
give me understanding, and I will live.
ק (Kuf)
145 Wholeheartedly I am calling on you;
answer me, Adonai; I will keep your laws.
146 I am calling on you; save me;
and I will observe your instruction.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes are open before the night watches,
so that I can meditate on your promise.
149 In your grace, hear my voice;
Adonai, in keeping with your justice, revive me.
150 The pursuers of carnality are getting close;
they are distancing themselves from your Torah.
151 You are close by, Adonai;
and all your mitzvot are truth.
152 Long ago I learned from your instruction
that you established it forever.
ר (Resh)
153 Look at my distress, and rescue me,
for I do not forget your Torah.
154 Plead my cause, and redeem me;
in keeping with your promise, revive me.
155 Salvation is far away from the wicked,
because they don’t seek your laws.
156 Great is your compassion, Adonai;
in keeping with your rulings, revive me.
157 Although my persecutors and foes are many,
I have not turned away from your instruction.
158 I look at traitors with disgust,
because they don’t keep your word.
159 See how I love your precepts, Adonai;
in keeping with your grace, revive me.
160 The main thing about your word is that it’s true;
and all your just rulings last forever.
ש (Shin)
161 Princes persecute me for no reason,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I take joy in your promise,
like someone who finds much booty.
163 I hate falsehood, I detest it;
but I love your Torah.
164 I praise you seven times a day
because of your righteous rulings.
165 Those who love your Torah have great peace;
nothing makes them stumble.
166 I hope for your deliverance, Adonai;
I obey your mitzvot.
167 My soul observes your instruction,
and I love it so much!
168 I observe your precepts and instruction,
for all my ways lie open before you.
ת (Tav)
169 Let my cry come before you, Adonai;
in keeping with your word, give me understanding.
170 Let my prayer come before you;
in keeping with your promise, rescue me.
171 Let my lips speak praise,
because you teach me your laws.
172 Let my tongue sing of your promise,
because all your mitzvot are righteous.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
because I choose your precepts.
174 I long for your deliverance, Adonai;
and your Torah is my delight.
175 Let me live, and I will praise you;
let your rulings help me.
176 I strayed like a lost sheep; seek out your servant;
for I do not forget your mitzvot.
This puts me in mind of a recent Torah lesson ‘Ki Tisa’ and specifically ‘The Thirteen Attributes of God’s Mercy’ that Moses was given so that he would know (in the future) how to save the nation of Israel from Yahweh’s wrath!