Overcoming Sin (Part 2)

Absolution in the Old Testament

To help his people, the Israelites, remain in his holy presence, God outlined a series of laws through Moses, which are documented in the first five books of the Bible (including the Ten Commandments). These laws taught the Israelites right from wrong, and how to live according to God’s will. To break these laws was to sin:

‘Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.’ 1 John 3:4.

God recognised that the Israelites wouldn’t be able to maintain the laws perfectly, so he gave them a way to absolve themselves of such transgressions and receive soul salvation, i.e. through the sacrifice and offerings of certain animals that were perfect and without blemish (see Leviticus 16:24, 27 and Deuteronomy 17:1). The sin of the soul was transferred to the animal, which was then slaughtered, signifying that the wages of that sin (death) had been paid by the animal’s soul instead. The Bible states that the soul dwells in the blood (Leviticus 17:11). As such, it was the shedding of the animal’s blood that was particularly important:

‘And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.’ Hebrews 9:22.

God provided this system so his people could become holy again and thereby able to return to his presence, as ultimately he loved them and wanted to maintain a relationship with them:

‘O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity … I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.’ Hosea 14:1, 4.

Overall, the Bible makes it clear that God wants us to forsake evil and return to a relationship with him:

‘Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.’ Isaiah 55:7.

‘As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways.’ Ezekiel 33:11.

One of the main themes of the Old Testament is that of the Israelites straying from God, leading to their persecution, and God then rescuing and redeeming them, only for them to stray again soon after. Humanity is not so different now and, like the Israelites, if we don’t make changes or repent, we too face the consequences of sin. Thankfully, as we'll come to see, we have Jesus who frees us with grace.