< Confession for Corporate Sins
In our series on Christian Living in a Democracy, there is a “lost doctrine in the Bible”. It is still in there, but many Christians have “lost” it in their thinking. It is the concept of confession for corporate sins of the people.
1. In the Law, in Leviticus 16:15-17 what sins was Aaron sacrificing for?
2. In Dt 21:1-6, why were they needing to make atonement here?
3. Psalm 106:6-7 says, “6 We have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly. 7 Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea.” (Berean Bible). How are they connected with their fathers’ sin, when Ezekiel 18 says kids are not guilty for parents’ sins?
4. Yet in Ezek 33:1-9, how can a watchman be guilty of the blood of a person who did sin?
5. In Dan 9:3-19 Daniel is confessing here sins and wickedness here. Exactly what evil did he do?
6. Read Nehemiah 1:6-10 and Nehemiah 9:26-37. Why was Nehemiah praying this?
7. Ezra 10:1-6 is about confession for one specific sin. Why was Ezra weeping and asking for forgiveness, since he did not do that himself?
8. Should Job have done this in Job 1:5?
9. In the New Testament in Acts 2:36-41, how can a “generation” be perverse?
10. Should we pray prayers of confession for the church? How so?
11. Should we pray prayers of confession for our nation? How and for what?
12. What do Ex 23:9; Lev 19:33-34; Num 15:15-16; Dt 10:10; 24:14,17; 27:19 say about foreigners (non-Israelites) living in Israel?
For Further Meditation
In Ezek 16:46-50, we all know about the sins of Sodom in 16:50. But what about Ezek 16:49?
Look over these commands given in scripture. These can be done, or sinned by not being done, at an individual level, or a society level.
Help the poor: Proverbs 21:13; 22:9; 31:9,20; Luke 14:13; Acts 9:36; 10:4; 24:17; Romans 15:26; Galatians 2:10; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17. (implied) 1 Corinthians 13:3
Being kind to the poor is lending to God in Proverbs 19:17
Feed the hungry: Isaiah 58:7; Ezekiel 18:7,16; Matthew 25:35-44; Proverbs 25:21; Romans 12:20 (implied, enemy)
Invite the poor to eat with us: Luke 14:12-14
Help widows: Leviticus 24:22; Deuteronomy 24:17,19-21; 14:29; 26:12-13; 27:19; Jer 22:3; 7:6; Zech 7:10; Psalm 94:6; 146:9; Mal 3:5; 1 Timothy 5:3; James 1:27. Note that evil people do not help orphans and widows Isa 1:23
Help orphans: Leviticus 24:22; Deuteronomy 24:17,19-21; 14:29; 26:12-13; 27:19; Jer 22:3; 7:6; Zech 7:10; Psalm 94:6; 146:9; Mal 3:5; 1 Timothy 5:3; James 1:27
Clothe the naked: Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 25:35-44
Care for the sick: Matthew 25:36,39,43,44
Show mercy to others: Lk 6:36
Visit those in prison: Mt 25:36,39,43-44; Heb 13:3
Practice hospitality: Aliens were to be treated well in Leviticus 19:33-34; Matthew 25:38,40; Romans 12:13; 16:23; Hebrews 13:1-2; 1 Peter 4:9; 3 John 8,10.
Bishops are to be hospitable in 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8.
Widows were commended for being hospitable in 1 Timothy 5:10.
For good examples see Publius of Malta in Acts 28:7, entertaining angels unawares in Hebrews 13:2, Abraham in Genesis 18:1-15, and Lot in Genesis 19. Manaoh in Judges 13:2-23. Job 31:32, Rebecca and Laban in Gen 24:15-31.
See also the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-25
Hospitality and inhospitality are shown in Judges 19:11-28