Friday, June 17, 2011

Turn or burn

“...the second necessary step in the prophetic return (שוב [shuv]). A return such as this begins with an acknowledgment of guilt (3:13), expressed through a prayer such as the one showcased in 3:22b–25, but must lead to a change in behavior. The kind of “return” in mind is then delineated in 4:1b–2 in terms of practical action to stop idolatry and injustice, that is, as the central statement declares, “no longer go astray.” That this sort of repentance is not merely external action without internal motivation is made clear in 4:3–4, which describes “repentance at a deep level lest Yahweh’s burning and unquenchable wrath be poured out on them” (Thompson 1980: 206).”—A Severe Mercy, page 236

<idle musing>
No change in behavior means no real repentance. Repentance is more than feeling sorry for getting caught. I was talking with someone a few weeks ago and they put this way, "Everyone has to have a 'Paul moment' before repentance becomes real." Well put; we have to realize we can't deliver ourselves and that we need deliverance. Then we can turn and it will be real because the Spirit of God will be the one empowering you.
</idle musing>

1 comment:

That's my 2 cents! said...

Where's the Facebook "like" button when you need one? I like to say, "Yep, that's the way the Bible says it." It is a difficult lesson to learn, for oneself, and darned near impossible to teach. Without the Holy Spirit the lesson is impossible to understand or acquire, for oneself.

Lonnie