2021.09.14 REPENT/REPENTANCE Defined. Thoughts during the Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah, the Days of Awe, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
William Akehurst HSWC
TESHUVAH – REPENTANCE – RETURN
At the beginning of HIS Ministry, JESUS said, “Repent for the Kingdom is at hand”. Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15
We hear the word repent and repentance many times through scriptures, but what does it really mean?
Webster defines Repenting or Repentance as to “feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.”
Wikipedia states:
Repentance is reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs, which is accompanied by commitment to and actual actions that show and prove a change for the better. In modern times, it is generally seen as involving a commitment to personal change and the resolve to live a more responsible and humane life. In other words, being sorry for one's misdeeds. It can also involve sorrow over a specific sin or series of sins that an individual feels guilt over, or conviction that he or she has committed. The practice of repentance plays an important role in the soteriological doctrines of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Analogous practices have been found in other world religions as well. In religious contexts, it often involves an act of confession to God or to a spiritual elder. This confession might include an admission of guilt, a promise or intent not to repeat the offense, an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
We understand that sorrow, more importantly godly* sorrow produces repentance.
Godly sorrow is realizing our sinful condition before THE HOLY GOD.
So often I have taught that Repent meant to be sorrowful, or to change. But there is a deeper meaning that can be found in the root of the Hebrew word translated as repent or repentance. The word is “Teshuvah”
TESHUVAH - THE ROOT OF REPENTANCE
What can we learn from Hebrew for the root of this word TESHUVAH which we interpret as “Repent”?
Teshuvah which has been interpreted in the Bible as “repent or repentance” actually has deeper meaning.
Teshuvah’s root meaning is…”To Return” or "To Return To GOD". A call to Teshuvah is a call by GOD, for all mankind “to return” to HIMSELF in body, soul and spirit.
When we read Matthew 4:17 once again with this new understanding, we see that JESUS is actually saying “Return to GOD, for the Kingdom has now come.”
Don’t delay…Teshuvah. Now is the time TO RETURN our hearts, our minds, our lives and actions to GOD.
ROSH HASHANAH and YOM KIPPUR
Rosh Hashanah, marks the beginning of the FEAST of TRUMPETS and the Days of Awe. A time for self-examination of our life in comparison to GOD’s command for Holiness. Following this thought, it’s a time when we can realize how we fall short to GOD’s GLORY by just how sinful we are as a people; and come to the understanding of our need for repentance and change. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement culminates this Feast with the requirement of the payment for these shortcomings. Literally, a Sacrifice as payment for sin. JESUS made payment as that sacrifice for our sin, and offers HIMSELF to all who will receive. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
CONFESSING OUR SIN
1 John 1:5-10
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
44 statements – Al Chet – Confession of Sins – a list of 44 statements used on Yom Kippur.
(The "Al Chet" is a list of 44 statements to guide us to examine the root of our sins against GOD, and confess it before the LORD. In Jewish tradition, The “Al Chet” is spoken ten times in the course of the Yom Kippur services on Yom Kippur Eve, then the next morning and afternoon of Yom Kippur day. The final time, it is spoken in silence.)
As we read these statements, we examine our hearts to uncover areas in our lives in which we need to change.
For the Christian believer, we can say:
ALMIGHTY GOD, We come in JESUS’ Name and ask for Your forgiveness:
1. For the sin which we have committed before You under duress or willingly.
2. And for the sin which we have committed before You by hard-heartedness.
3. For the sin which we have committed before You inadvertently.
4. And for the sin which we have committed before You with an utterance of the lips.
5. For the sin which we have committed before You with immorality.
6. And for the sin which we have committed before You openly or secretly.
7. For the sin which we have committed before You with knowledge and with deceit.
8. And for the sin which we have committed before You through speech.
9. For the sin which we have committed before You by deceiving a fellowman.
10. And for the sin which we have committed before You by improper thoughts.
11. For the sin which we have committed before You by a gathering of lewdness.
12. And for the sin which we have committed before You by verbal [insincere] confession.
13. For the sin which we have committed before You by disrespect for parents and teachers.
14. And for the sin which we have committed before You intentionally or unintentionally.
15. For the sin which we have committed before You by using coercion or intimidation.
16. And for the sin which we have committed before You by desecrating the Divine Name.
17. For the sin which we have committed before You by impurity of speech.
18. And for the sin which we have committed before You by foolish talk.
19. For the sin which we have committed before You with the evil inclination.
20. And for the sin which we have committed before You knowingly or unknowingly.
21. For the sin which we have committed before You by false denial and lying.
22. And for the sin which we have committed before You by a bribe-taking or a bribe-giving hand.
23. For the sin which we have committed before You by scoffing.
24. And for the sin which we have committed before You by evil talk [about another].
25. For the sin which we have committed before You in business dealings.
26. And for the sin which we have committed before You by eating and drinking.
27. For the sin which we have committed before You by [taking or giving] interest and by usury.
28. And for the sin which we have committed before You by a haughty demeanor.
29. For the sin which we have committed before You by the prattle of our lips.
30. And for the sin which we have committed before You by a glance of the eye.
31. For the sin which we have committed before You with proud looks.
32. And for the sin which we have committed before You with impudence.
33. For the sin which we have committed before You by casting off the yoke [of Heaven].
34. And for the sin which we have committed before You in passing judgment.
35. For the sin which we have committed before You by scheming against a fellowman.
36. And for the sin which we have committed before You by a begrudging eye.
37. For the sin which we have committed before You by frivolity.
38. And for the sin which we have committed before You by obduracy/stubbornness.
39. For the sin which we have committed before You by running to do evil.
40. And for the sin which we have committed before You by tale-bearing.
41. For the sin which we have committed before You by swearing in vain.
42. And for the sin which we have committed before You by causeless hatred.
43. For the sin which we have committed before You by embezzlement.
44. And for the sin which we have committed before You by a confused heart.
For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us.
PRAYER OF RETURN FROM SCRIPTURE
Psalms 139:23-24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalms 51:1-4 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:
Psalms 51:7-15 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
Amen.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Bill
