First Thought

בְּחֶ֣סֶד וֶ֭אֱמֶת יְכֻפַּ֣ר עָוֺ֑ן וּבְיִרְאַ֥ת יְ֝הוָ֗ה ס֣וּר מֵרָֽע׃

By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of Adonai, one keeps away from evil. (Proverbs 16:6)

This verse is interesting. Our traditional beliefs would probably be closer to “the fear of” Yeshua is what gives us atonement." Similarly we might say that it is our actions, lovingkindness and truth, that keep us away from evil. While these beliefs are not incorrect, this verse flips things around.

How can you apply Proverbs 16:6 today? How do you think our lovingkindness and truth can cover (כפר) our sins?

Figure 28.1: Megiddo Pass aerial from the northeast. This area was highly strategic throughout antiquity. Whoever held it could control all movement in the region. Pharaoh Thutmose III once remarked, ‘taking Megiddo is like taking 1000 cities.’ This is also the suggested location of the staging area for the so-called ‘Battle of Armageddon’ described in the Book of Revelation. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands