Confess יָדָה

We are in chapter five of Leviticus with our word for today. יָדָה praise, confess, take confession, throw, cast, give voice. It is used 111 times in the Old Testament. We find our word used in the sense to thank, to express gratitude or show appreciation to someone, praise. 2 Samuel 22:50 For this אוֹדְךָ֥ I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name. 1 Chronicles 16:34 לְהֹדוֹת֙ Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Our word is also used to confess, to admit a punishable deed or sin. A good example of this is Ezra leading the people in public confession. Ezra 10:1 While Ezra prayed וּכְ֨הִתְוַדֹּת֔וֹ and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Leviticus 5:5-6 When anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, וְהִ֨תְוַדָּ֔ה they must confess in what way they have sinned. As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin. As we have seen before these sacrifices pointed toward Jesus who is the real sin offering in that his sacrifice actually paid the price for our intentional sins against God. Even in the Old Testament people, like David, knew that God alone was the one who would forgive them because of his great love and mercy. They didn’t know how exactly how God was going to do it but they trusted in God’s character of grace for his people. We see this referenced in 1 Peter 1:10-12 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. Confession of sin is seen throughout the Bible into the New Testament. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I’ll close with some great examples of Old Testament people confessing their sins appealing to God’s willingness to forgive. Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, וּמוֹדֶ֖ה but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Daniel 9:4-5, 9 I prayed to the Lord my God וָאֶתְוַדֶּ֑ה and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws … The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. Psalm 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, אוֹדֶ֤ה “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.