Repentance- a bible study

 

I am led to talk about repentance and to show examples of it in the bible, to show how important it is to us in these current evil days that we find ourselves living in, as much as it was in these stories and verses in the bible, which are presented as examples for everyone. First story included is of one Abimelech who had to repent of taking Abraham’s wife and return her to Abraham:

(Genesis 20:1)  From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar.

 

(Genesis 20:2)  And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

 

(Genesis 20:3)  But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife."

 

(Genesis 20:4)  Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, "Lord, will you kill an innocent people?

 

(Genesis 20:5)  Did he not himself say to me, 'She is my sister'? And she herself said, 'He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this."

 

(Genesis 20:6)  Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her.

 

(Genesis 20:7)  Now then, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours."

 

(Genesis 20:8)  So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid.

 

(Genesis 20:9)  Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done."

 

(Genesis 20:10)  And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What did you see, that you did this thing?"

 

(Genesis 20:11)  Abraham said, "I did it because I thought, There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.

 

(Genesis 20:12)  Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife.

 

(Genesis 20:13)  And when God caused me to wander from my father's house, I said to her, 'This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother.'"

 

(Genesis 20:14)  Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him.

 

(Genesis 20:15)  And Abimelech said, "Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you."

 

(Genesis 20:16)  To Sarah he said, "Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated."

 

(Genesis 20:17)  Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children.

 

(Genesis 20:18)  For the LORD had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

 

Next here is the story of Job’s friends having to repent for speaking wrongly about Job throughout much of the book of Job, during the dialogues (chapters 3 to 31). I am thankful today that due to the blood of Jesus, all we need do when we offend is merely apologize to the person and repent to God, we no longer have to sacrifice animals in a burnt offering as they did during the Old Testament(even through Jesus’ lifetime).

(Job 42:7)  After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: "My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.

 

(Job 42:8)  Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."

 

(Job 42:9)  So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the LORD had told them, and the LORD accepted Job's prayer.

Here is an example of Israel as a nation repenting of her idolatry, and this act of repentance also served to deliver them out of the hands of the Philistines:

(1 Samuel 7:1)  And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the LORD and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of the LORD.

 

(1 Samuel 7:2)  From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

 

(1 Samuel 7:3)  And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."

 

(1 Samuel 7:4)  So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only.

 

(1 Samuel 7:5)  Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you."

 

(1 Samuel 7:6)  So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the LORD and fasted on that day and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah.

 

(1 Samuel 7:7)  Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines.

 

(1 Samuel 7:8)  And the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines."

 

(1 Samuel 7:9)  So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. And Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him.

 

(1 Samuel 7:10)  As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were routed before Israel.

 

(1 Samuel 7:11)  And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.

 

(1 Samuel 7:12)  Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, "Till now the LORD has helped us."

 

(1 Samuel 7:13)  So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

 

(1 Samuel 7:14)  The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.

 

(1 Smuela 7:15)  Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.

 

Then on to David and the Bathsheba affair, where David would go on to repent of the adultery and murder of Uriah, Bathsheba’s original wife . This is first told in 2 Samuel 12, when the prophet Nathan was sent by God to confront David over these terrible sins

(2 Samuel 12:1)  And the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, "There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor.

 

(2 Samuel 12:2)  The rich man had very many flocks and herds,

 

(2 Samuel 12:3)  but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him.

 

(2 Samuel 12:4)  Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him."

 

(2 Samuel 12:5)  Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die,

 

(2 Samuel 12:6)  and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."

 

(2 Samuel 12:7)  Nathan said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul.

 

(2 Samuel 12:8)  And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more.

 

(2 Samuel 12:9)  Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

 

(2 Samuel 12:10)  Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.'

 

(2 Samuel 12:11)  Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.

 

(2 Samuel 12:12)  For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.'"

 

(2 Samuel 12:13)  David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

 

(2 Samuel 12:14)  Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die."

 

Note David’s action had the consequence of the loss of the child in the adulterous affair that he had. His repentance however was genuine for he then wrote Psalm 51, expressing his regret and remorse. God did forgive David of his terrible sins, which goes to show how merciful our God really is.

(Psalm 51:1)  To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

 

(Psalm 51:2)  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

 

(Psalm 51:3)  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

 

(Psalm 51:4)  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

 

(Psalm 51:5)  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

 

(Psalm 51:6)  Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

 

(Psalm 51:7)  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 

(Psalm 51:8)  Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

 

(Psalm 51:9)  Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

 

(Psalm 51:10)  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

 

(Psalm 51:11)  Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

 

(Psalm 51:12)  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

 

(Psalm 51:13)  Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

 

(Psalm 51:14)  Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

 

(Psalm 51:15)  O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

 

(Psa 51:16)  For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

 

(Psalm 51:17)  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

 

(Psalm 51:18)  Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;

 

(Psalm 51:19)  then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

 

Here is another good repentance based Psalm, number 32

(Psalm 32:1)  A Maskil of David. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

 

(Psalm 32:2)  Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

 

(Psalm 32:3)  For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

 

(Psalm 32:4)  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

 

(Psalm 32:5)  I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

 

(Psalm 32:6)  Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.

 

(Psalm 32:7)  You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

 

(Psalm 32:8)  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

 

(Psalm 32:9)  Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.

 

(Psalm 32:10)  Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.

 

(Psalm 32:11)  Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

 

Here is the story written by Nebuchadnezzar and the story of what all God did did to get no less a person than the king of the Babylonian empire to repent turn away from his pride:

(Daniel 4:1)  King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you!

 

(Daniel 4:2)  It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.

 

(Daniel 4:3)  How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.

 

(Daniel 4:4)  I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace.

 

(Daniel 4:5)  I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.

 

(Daniel 4:6)  So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.

 

(Daniel 4:7)  Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation.

 

(Daniel 4:8)  At last Daniel came in before me--he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods--and I told him the dream, saying,

 

(Daniel 4:9)  "O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation.

 

(Daniel 4:10)  The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great.

 

(Daniel 4:11)  The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth.

 

(Daniel 4:12)  Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.

 

(Daniel 4:13)  "I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven.

 

(Daniel 4:14)  He proclaimed aloud and said thus: 'Chop down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches.

 

(Daniel 4:15)  But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.

 

(Daniel 4:16)  Let his mind be changed from a man's, and let a beast's mind be given to him; and let seven periods of time pass over him.

 

(Daniel 4:17)  The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.'

 

(Daniel 4:18)  This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you."

 

(Daniel 4:19)  Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, "Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!

 

(Daniel 4:20)  The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth,

 

(Daniel 4:21)  whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived--

 

(Daniel 4:22)  it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth.

 

(Daniel 4:23)  And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,'

 

(Daniel 4:24)  this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king,

 

(Daniel 4:25)  that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.

 

(Daniel 4:26)  And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules.

 

(Daniel 4:27)  Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity."

 

(Daniel 4:28)  All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.

 

(Daniel 4:29)  At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,

 

(Daniel 4:30)  and the king answered and said, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?"

 

(Daniel 4:31)  While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, "O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you,

 

(Daniel 4:32)  and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will."

 

(Daniel 4:33)  Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.

 

(Daniel 4:34)  At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;

 

(Daniel 4:35)  all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?"

 

(Daniel 4:36)  At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.

 

(Daniel 4:37)  Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

 

There is much repentance and such in the story of Jonah, what with the sailors drawn to God, Jonah Himself repenting of His fleeing from God’s will from the fish’s belly then Nineveh the great city repenting. Here are the first 3 chapters, which illustrate all of this well:

(Jonah 1:1)  Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

 

(Jonah 1:2)  "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me."

 

(Jonah 1:3)  But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

 

(Jonah 1:4)  But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up.

 

(Jonah 1:5)  Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep.

 

(Jonah 1:6)  So the captain came and said to him, "What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish."

 

(Jonah 1:7)  And they said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.

 

(Jonah 1:8)  Then they said to him, "Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?"

 

(Jonah 1:9)  And he said to them, "I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land."

 

(Jonah 1:10)  Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, "What is this that you have done!" For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

 

(Jonah 1:11)  Then they said to him, "What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?" For the sea grew more and more tempestuous.

 

(Jonah 1:12)  He said to them, "Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you."

 

(Jonah 1:13)  Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.

 

(Jonah 1:14)  Therefore they called out to the LORD, "O LORD, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you."

 

(Jonah 1:15)  So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.

 

(Jonah 1:16)  Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.

 

(Jonah 1:17)  And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

 

(Jonah 2:1)  Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish,

 

(Jonah 2:2)  saying, "I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.

 

(Jonah 2:3)  For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me.

 

(Jonah 2:4)  Then I said, 'I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.'

 

(Jonah 2:5)  The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head

 

(Jonah 2:6)  at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God.

 

(Jonah 2:7)  When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.

 

(Jonah 2:8)  Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.

 

(Jonah 2:9)  But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!"

 

(Jonah 2:10)  And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

 

(Jonah 3:1)  Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,

 

(Jonah 3:2)  "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you."

 

(Jonah 3:3)  So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth.

 

(Jonah 3:4)  Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"

 

(Jonah 3:5)  And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

 

(Jonah 3:6)  The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

 

(Jonah 3:7)  And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water,

 

(Jonah 3:8)  but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.

 

(Jonah 3:9)  Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish."

 

(Jonah 3:10)  When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

 

In the New Testament both John the Baptist both encouraged all to repent:

(Matthew 3:2)  "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

 

(Matthew 4:17)  From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

 

Then during the Pentecost this message of repentance is given, just after the Holy Spirit had fallen on the apostles:

(Acts 2:22)  "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know--

 

(Acts 2:23)  this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

 

(Acts 2:24)  God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

 

(Acts 2:25)  For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

 

(Acts 2:26)  therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.

 

(Acts 2:27)  For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.

 

(Act 2:28)  You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'

 

(Act 2:29)  "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

 

(Acts 2:30)  Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,

 

(Acts 2:31)  he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

 

(Acts 2:32)  This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

 

(Acts 2:33)  Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

 

(Acts 2:34)  For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,

 

(Acts 2:35)  until I make your enemies your footstool.'

 

(Acts 2:36)  Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."

 

(Acts 2:37)  Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

 

(Acts 2:38)  And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

(Acts 2:39)  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."

 

And this message given by Peter in the very next chapter just after the beggar at the temple was miraculously healed

(Acts 3:12)  And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

 

(Acts 3:13)  The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.

 

(Acts 3:14)  But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

 

(Acts 3:15)  and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

 

(Acts 3:16)  And his name--by faith in his name--has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

 

(Acts 3:17)  "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.

 

(Acts 3:18)  But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.

 

(Acts 3:19)  Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,

 

(Acts 3:20)  that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

 

(Acts 3:21)  whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

 

These two messages in Acts both say that everyone has to repent and so does this one in Proverbs 1:

(Proverbs 1:20)  Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;

 

(Proverbs 1:21)  at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

 

(Proverbs 1:22)  "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

 

(Proverbs 1:23)  If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.

 

Here is a proverb which speaks as to what repentance is, confessing and(as humanly possible) forsaking sin to get mercy from God:

(Proverbs 28:13)  Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

 

In Ezekiel the message of repentance to Israel is shared twice

(Ezekiel 14:6)  "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.

 

Here the message also in a bit stronger form in Ezekiel 18

(Ezekiel 18:30)  "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.

 

(Ezekiel 18:31)  Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?

 

(Ezekiel 18:32)  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live."

 

Here Jesus tells very firmly all must all either repent or perish, and a parable as well:

(Luke 13:1)  There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

 

(Luke 13:2)  And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?

 

(Luke 13:3)  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

 

(Luke 13:4)  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?

 

(Luke 13:5)  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

 

(Luke 13:6)  And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.

 

(Luke 13:7)  And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?'

 

(Luke 13:8)  And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.

 

(Luke 13:9)  Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

 

You may ask why do we all need to repent? Here is the truth in Romans 3. Here are some verses that explain it:

(Romans 3:9)  What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,

 

(Romans 3:10)  as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;

 

(Romans 3:11)  no one understands; no one seeks for God.

 

(Romans 3:12)  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."

 

(Romans 3:21)  But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--

 

(Romans 3:22)  the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

 

(Romans 3:23)  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 

(Romans 3:24)  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

 

And this in Romans 6 explains the wages of sin(that we need to repent of)

(Romans 6:23)  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

The key to repenting is believing in the finished work on the cross, believing in faith in the Lord Jesus and that God raised in from the dead, as stated in Romans 10:

(Romans 10:8)  But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

 

(Romans 10:9)  because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

(Romans 10:10)  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

 

(Romans 10:11)  For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."

 

(Romans 10:12)  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.

 

(Romans 10:13)  For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

 

Because He did this every tongue will confess Him Lord, and also as this passage suggests we need to continue repenting of any dead works, and so work out our salvation with fear and trembling:

(Philippians 2:5)  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

 

(Philippians 2:6)  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

 

(Philippians 2:7)  but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

 

(Philippians 2:8)  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

 

(Philippians 2:9)  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

 

(Philippians 2:10)  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 

(Philippians 2:11)  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

(Philippians 2:12)  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

 

(Philippians 2:13)  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

 

Jesus explained His purpose here on the Earth in these verses, which also explain why He went to the cross:

(Luke 5:30)  And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"

 

(Luke 5:31)  And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

 

(Luke 5:32)  I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

 

And here is this verse in 2 Peter how God is patient not wanting people to perish but to repent:

(2 Peter 3:9)  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

 

Jesus wants us to be saved, to repent of all our sins. It is easy to do to start out. I am including a prayer which you can pray with me to invite Jesus in your heart, and He also will forgive you of all your sins:

 

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

God bless you and yours.