Four OT Pictures of Forgiveness

Ephesians 1:7-8 tells us that one of the greatest blessings that comes through Christ is the forgiveness of sins. Below are four verses from the Old Testament that provide us some additional pictures to help us understand this great gift of forgiveness that the Father offers through Christ:

1. “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). The picture here is of the Lord throwing our sins so far away that they cannot be seen anymore.
2. “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like a mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you” (Isaiah 44:22). The picture here is of the Lord covering up our sin, so that it can no longer be seen.
3. “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). The picture here is of the Lord choosing to forget, so that our sin does not even enter into his mind. 
4. “You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). The picture here is of the Lord sinking all our sins into the bottom of the ocean.

In 1 John 1:9 we are told that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Oh Father give us eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts to understand the depth of forgiveness offered to us through Christ!