Hindsight is 20/20
Genesis 15:7-9 NLT
Then the LORD told him, “I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as your possession.” But Abram replied, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?” The LORD told him, “Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”
In our last blog, we discussed what the heifer symbolized in a covenant sacrifice. It sanctified someone who was contaminated by death. I'm going to explain the significance of each animal, and today I'll focus on the female goat.
Forgiveness of unintentional sins
A female goat sacrifice was required in Leviticus 4:28 and Numbers 15:27 for the forgiveness of committing unintentional sins. Sin is defined as 'miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit' (1).
It appears that one of Abram’s major concerns is making another mistake and missing God’s leading. He has good reason for being concerned, for reference read any blog I have written about Abram. I don’t know about you, but I have found myself to be anxious about this in my own life. Am I choosing the right career? Am I moving to the right city? Will this person be a good friend? As a matter of fact, you will find tons of articles, books, and sermons on this subject area. Why? Because God’s people still worry about making mistakes and missing His guidance.
God sees you as blameless
What is God saying here? Yes, Abram, you have missed My leading in the past and there will also be times in the future where you will miss My leading. There will be instances where you will unintentionally make wrong decisions and be guilty of creating problems. There will be times when you will ignore that uneasy feeling inside your gut and suffer the consequences. But, this female goat will shed blood for those unintentional sins and you will be forgiven.
God is reassuring Abram not to be afraid of what lies ahead. Abram is to keep moving forward in his destiny. Abram is forgiven of unintentional sins. But, more than that, God will also lead Abram through difficult circumstances of his own making and rid him of debilitating guilt.
Hindsight is 20/20
There may have been times when you sinned or made mistakes and not even realize it until years later. The guilt from such an oversight can paralyze you with fear and disable you from moving forward. What security we can find in God! Even if we miss His leading, or create unintentional problems, or commit unintentional sins, we can be forgiven because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. God even removes the guilt associated with that sin. Take God at His Word. Act on the covenant we have with Him as His children. Keep moving forward! God has our backs!
PSALM 32:2
Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt.
Let's Pray:
Father,
You address every thing that disturbs my heart. You pay close attention to all the things that concern me, including sinning unintentionally, making wrong choices, and missing Your leading. Your love and mercy towards me makes me confident and secure. I will continue to move forward knowing that You have my back. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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