Confession is good for the soul.
It’s also a practice which has become increasingly unfashionable in modern culture, where the word sin is often seen as an outdated concept. If there is such a thing as sin, it’s something like not being true to yourself – whatever that means!
The primary issue, of course, is that sin is a word which finds its meaning and importance in relation to God. It is a spiritual problem and not just a moral or ethical or ‘lifestyle’ one. As society has secularised, so we find ways around it: different language, alternative categories… or we blame our genes or our experiences (and those are influences, but not justifications). This is in stark contrast to our pre-modern culture. Consider the words of the confession in the Book of Common Prayer:
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, we have offended against thy holy laws, we have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders; spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults, restore thou them that are penitent, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord; and grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.
That is the standard confession at both Morning and Evening prayer. In other words, a devout Anglican in years gone by would have said this twice a day, or up to fourteen times a week, or as many as 730 times a year! As my old vicar used to say, when you say the prayer book confessions, you are properly confessed.
Taking confession seriously, however, is not a question of fashion, it lies rooted in scripture. Our passage for today is the first part of an immense act of confession (which lasts all the way to the end of chapter 10). It is a significant moment, and therefore at one level, not ‘normal’ – it involved fasting and changes to the peoples’ appearance (v1), as well as a distinction between the original chosen people and those who had joined the community (v2). It took a long time (v3) and was led by a large number of leaders (vv4-5).
But, it was also setting a benchmark which was normative from this point on. God’s people were going to try and obey God – this great God who made everything (vv5-6), had chosen them (vv7-8), saved them (vv7-11), led them (v12), spoken to them (vv13-15), forgiven them (v17), taught them (v20), provided for them (vv20-21) and blessed them (vv22-26).
Tomorrow, we’ll see how the repeating pattern of sin, disaster, repentance and renewal pave the way for a renewal of this covenant. Today, though, let’s marvel at God’s love, patience and mercy – lavished not just on the Israelites, but us. And may that lead us into both gratitude and confession, and ultimately to a renewed life which brings glory to ‘thy holy Name’. Amen.