Page 11 - May 2024 - Truth & Tidings

Propitiation in Psalm justice change His nature as the God of

Considering that the core concern of love and peace (2Co 13:11)? Of course
not! But how can the Holy One restore
propitiation is the satisfaction of Jeho- relationship with a guilt-laden race of sin-
vah’s righteousness and safeguarding of ners? For these attributes to be reconciled,
His holy character, the words of the 85th there must be a meeting place.
psalm can apply to the cross and help our
understanding, appreciation and devo- Allow yourself to be transported to an
tion. “Mercy and truth are met together; arena full of participants and spectators.
righteousness and peace have kissed each On one side is God, dwelling in such light
other” (v10 KJV). that no man can approach Him. On the
Think of these words as intrinsic charac- other is fallen humanity, defiled, depraved
teristics of God. The word truth (Hebrew and at a distance. Angels look on intently,
and the devil himself is there slandering
ĕmet) suggests more than just the opposite
of falsehood. It conveys the idea of some- and hurling accusations of unrighteous-
thing firm and foundational, certain and ness, watching to see what God will do.
Jehovah’s lovingkindness motivates Him
unchanging. We are glad that the character to restore His relationship with mankind,
of Jehovah exudes this truth so that our but truth and justice will not allow com-
faith and hope don’t equate to specula-
tion and superstition but are secured on a promise. The purpose of justifying the
bedrock of certainty. Here, righteousness ungodly can never be realized as long
as sin remains unaddressed; any and all
(Hebrew sedeq) has everything to do with hope seems lost.
justice. Having started out as a word that
meant straight, it eventually became used Then, all eyes turn to a Man suffering
to express conformity to an ethical or on a Roman cross. A darkness that can
moral standard. If we follow the course be felt causes a silent hush of awe and
1
of Scripture, we must conclude that justice reverence as mercy and truth move from
was not just something God expected of different corners to converge in harmony
His people; it is a part of His own essential on this Man. As the accuser roars of sins
character. This unchanging, firm God who passed over from the beginning of time,
demands justice is contrasted with un- justice and peace make their way toward
stable and unrighteous rebels throughout the cross and embrace each other! Upon
the entire story of the Bible. the death of the Sufferer, God’s righteous
But what about mercy (Hebrew hesed) claims against sin are met; there is no
and peace (Hebrew šhālôm)? These traits compromise, only complete satisfaction.
seem to be at odds with the description of God is propitiated, and Satan’s arguments
Jehovah we have already been consider- against God’s character are silenced.
ing. But are they? Does this God of con- Propitiation’s Proclamation
crete, unchanging truth not also delight in
showing lovingkindness (Mic 7:18)? Does Now, pointing to the cross and its ac-
His insistence on complete, transparent complishment, and having found com-
plete satisfaction in that Man and that
sacrifice, God declares to all of humanity,
1 R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and
Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old “There I will meet with thee …” (Exo
Testament (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999), 752. 25:22 KJV).

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