The Process of T’shuvah (Repentance and Return).

God has, over and over, stated that rivers of sacrifice do nothing unless our heart is repentant! This even is true of Yeshua’s blood – it is there, it is sufficient, but unless we repent and turn from our sin it can do nothing for us. So, our prayers and actions – which proceed from the intents of the heart – are important in the entire T’shuvah process.

Now, T’shuvah involved several steps:

  1. To recognize a Sin.
  2. To confess the Sin
  3. To repent of the Sin.
  4. To correct any wrong caused by the Sin.
  5. To become ritually clean by doing a mikvah (Ritual Bath).
  6. THEN go and making sacrifice for the Sin.

However, in Rabbinical Orthodoxy, it is claimed the following verses in an attempt to sidestep the last step in the process of T’shuvah:

Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.(KJV)

Hosea 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. (KJV)

But I say: “Two verses in Hosea (and in all honesty there are a few similar, elsewhere) do not cancel the 5 books of the Torah”? In the context of the mitzvah (Commandment) concerning then consumption of blood (Lev 17:11), God did say that it is “the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” The teaching of Yochanan BenZachai, that G’millut HaSadim (deeds of loving kindness) could substitute for the blood came after the destruction of the Temple, and while understandable, is in direct contradiction to Moshe and the 5 books of the Torah! ISA 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. If one teaches that the torah is no longer in effect, its requirements and its statutes are no longer valid then he is not speaking according to God’s word! You do know that the blood is required for forgivness of our sins and is supposed to be sprinkled upon the mercy seat (LEV16:14-16) to make atonement for sins.

PSA 89:34 My covenant will I not break, NOR ALTER THE THING THAT HAS GONE OUT OF MY LIPS.

God’s requirements have not changed!

ISA 9:16 For THE LEADERS OF THIS PEOPLE CAUSE THEM TO ERR; and THEY THAT ARE LED OF THEM ARE DESTROYED.

JER 5:30-31 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Being led astray by false teachers is NOT excusable by God, for He has continually warned us. Paul knew it would come. Again when God told abraham to sacrifice his son issaic, abraham realized that God was able to raise his son up from the grave and fulfill the covenant God made with him that all the world would be blessed! This again is an example of the requirements God has for us in his law, God provided a ram to be sacrificed in issaics place, which fulfilled the requirements. God has not changed, his law still requires a blood sacrifice and Christ Jesus provided that sacrifice and atonement on the cross! God performed the first sacrifice that was performed for the sin of man and woman! God made skins for adam and eve to cover their bodies, It says that God made skins not that he created skins, so there were animals that were taken sacrificed and given for forgivness! If someone commits iniquity they are to be judged unless atonement is made! Be thankful! We have a wonderful counselor and a mighty God! In Christ Jesus we have atonement and forgiveness of sins!