Teshuvah - Repent - Return (A Message For The Days Of Awe From Rosh Hashanah Through Yom Kippur)

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.)