![]() He uses a beautiful image of removing our offense from us as far from the east is from the west. When it comes to forgiveness, God doesn’t just withhold His anger when He forgives us. He doesn’t respond to us in the way we deserve but demonstrates His love for us through His graciousness. In Psalm 103, David reminds us that God is incredibly patient with us. He reminds us that God “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Jesus instructs us to love our enemies so that we can be like our Father in heaven. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. God doesn’t give us what we deserve (Psalm 103:10-12) It’s helpful to recognize that forgiveness doesn’t always deliver the forgiven from the repercussions of their behavior. This generation will not enter the promised land. We see God forgive again, but He also tells Moses that there will be consequences for Israel’s continued disobedience. Here he reminds God of His love for the people and the fact that He’s pardoned them in the past. Moses often finds himself interceding on behalf of his people. Not only did they slip into idolatry, but they were always complaining. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.”Īfter God demonstrated His love and power in delivering the Israelites from Egypt, you’d think that Israel would be on their best behavior. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times-not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. “In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” Moses prays for forgiveness (Numbers 14:19-23) In this passage from Leviticus, God warns against harboring resentment and seeking retribution against those in God’s community. Throughout the Old Testament, you can see God reinforcing these ideas over and over again.
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