S) "13 Now if the whole congregation of Israel commits error and the matter escapes the notice of the assembly, and they commit any of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, and they become guilty; 14 when the sin which they have committed becomes known, then the assembly shall offer a bull of the herd for a sin offering and bring it before the tent of meeting."
Leviticus 4:13-14 (NASB)
O) A great many specific circumstances had to be spelled out for God's people, because they were working from zero laws about how to atone for sins. It seems God was having to give details for virtually every circumstance. What this did, though, was left very little room for debate. God was giving the people as much information as they could handle, addressing every possible scenario to the best of their abilities to understand, so that they would be without excuse. In this instance, God is covering the concept of past sins that have not been addressed. God is essentially telling the people that there is no statute of limitations on their sins. No amount of time will heal the wounds of their sins, and they must still be addressed, atoned, and forgiven.
A) Recently on the radio, I heard someone say that if we try to suppress our emotions about conflicts, and we try to bury a situation when someone sins against us, then we're trying to bury something alive. And, what happens when that person sins against us again, is that the old hurt and pain is resurrected and compounds the wounds of the new sins. No amount of dirt or time will make a sin okay. No amount of pushing something aside or ignoring it will ever resolve transgressions. A couple of years ago, I discovered a debt I owed that was over a decade old. I knew that I never actually paid it, but I was mistakenly given the impression that the debt was absolved. It was not. The twelve years between my offense and the day of my reckoning, did not alter the debt I had in the slightest. I recently finished paying that debt after about two full years. It is a very present reminder that, "out of sight out of mind" does not equal, "resolved." When I discover that I have sinned in an area of my life, regardless of how old the sin is, or how long ago I hurt someone or wronged the LORD, my reaction must be the same as it is when I sin plainly: I must still repent, confess my sin, and ask my Lord for forgiveness (and the person I wronged, if I'm able).
P) Father, You are the keeper of all time. You are fully aware of all things, at all times, and nothing escapes Your notice. Open my eyes, Lord, to know of any sins I previously did not know. Ignorance is no excuse, as there is no excuse for sins. But, I thank You that Your mercy is unfailing, unending, and complete. Please forgive me of the sins I've committed today, and any from my past I was unaware I committed. If I am able, let me make right the wrongs I've created, but thank You for the grace You give, when I cannot. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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