The penitential psalms confess sin and express repentance. One of these is Psalm 51, in which David confessed his sins of adultery and murder. Nathan’s parable had brought him under conviction of sin (2 Samuel 12). He humbly cried out to the Lord, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow...Create in me a pure heart, O God” (Ps. 51:7, 10).

Repentance and clothing are connected in today’s Scripture passage. When Jonah went through the city of Nineveh with a message of judgment (v. 4), the people responded by putting on sackcloth (vv. 5–6). What’s that? A coarse kind of cloth, typically woven from the hair of goats or camels. It was uncomfortable to wear and signified mourning or penitence. Everyone in Nineveh, “from the greatest to the least,” wore it, apparently including even animals (v. 8).

Why did they wear it? Because they “believed God” (v. 5). They also fasted to show the sincerity of their repentance. This was particularly amazing because they were not Israelites but Assyrians. That’s why Jonah hadn’t wanted to go in the first place! The Lord, however, is not the God of just one people group. He’s the God of all nations. Somehow, He’d been at work in the hearts of the Ninevites so that they were ready to repent when Jonah arrived.

Of what were they repenting? Their evil ways and violence (v. 8). From what we know of the Assyrians, this was their way of life. As a conquering empire, they had a reputation for cruelty and viciousness. They weren’t just trying to avoid judgment—the sackcloth showed their true spiritual state. Their call to the Lord was urgent and heartfelt (v. 8). They hoped for God’s compassion and received it (vv. 9–10).

The penitential psalms confess sin and express repentance. One of these is Psalm 51, in which David confessed his sins of adultery and murder. Nathan’s parable had brought him under conviction of sin (2 Samuel 12). He humbly cried out to the Lord, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow...Create in me a pure heart, O God” (Ps. 51:7, 10).
Repentance and clothing are connected in today’s Scripture passage. When Jonah went through the city of Nineveh with a message of judgment (v. 4), the people responded by putting on sackcloth (vv. 5–6). What’s that? A coarse kind of cloth, typically woven from the hair of goats or camels. It was uncomfortable to wear and signified mourning or penitence. Everyone in Nineveh, “from the greatest to the least,” wore it, apparently including even animals (v. 8).
Why did they wear it? Because they “believed God” (v. 5). They also fasted to show the sincerity of their repentance. This was particularly amazing because they were not Israelites but Assyrians. That’s why Jonah hadn’t wanted to go in the first place! The Lord, however, is not the God of just one people group. He’s the God of all nations. Somehow, He’d been at work in the hearts of the Ninevites so that they were ready to repent when Jonah arrived.
Of what were they repenting? Their evil ways and violence (v. 8). From what we know of the Assyrians, this was their way of life. As a conquering empire, they had a reputation for cruelty and viciousness. They weren’t just trying to avoid judgment—the sackcloth showed their true spiritual state. Their call to the Lord was urgent and heartfelt (v. 8). They hoped for God’s compassion and received it (vv. 9–10).

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Today in the Word Devotional

Repenting in Sackcloth

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/0ceb4577-8731-4205-a251-b1ea0172d0dd/transcript

The fourth-century theologian Augustine was dying. Enemies were at the gates of his city in North Africa. How did he respond? He asked that the seven penitential psalms—psalms confessing and repenting of sin, such as Psalms 32 and 130—be written on sheets and hung around his bed. That way he could read and meditate on them, confessing his sins and preparing his soul to meet the Lord.

Confessing our sin is a highly valuable spiritual discipline. In 2 Chronicles 34:19, King Josiah “tore his robes” over sin. This dramatic action expressed deep grief, alarm, and humility. In this case, it also expressed the king’s desire to confess and repent.

What had happened? Hilkiah the priest had found “the Book of the Law of the LORD that had been given through Moses” (v. 14), probably the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament), which had apparently been lost. When it was read aloud to the king, Josiah realized how guilty the nation was of covenant unfaithfulness and sin (v. 21). In yesterday’s reading the crisis was external, in today’s episode it was internal. According to Scripture, the people of Judah deserved God’s wrath. What would happen? First, the king inquired of the prophet Hulda (v. 22). She answered that what the book said was true. God doesn’t change. But due to the king’s responsive heart, the punishment for idolatry and sin wouldn’t come during his lifetime (vv. 24–28).

Second, the king led a public renewal of the covenant (vv. 29–32). This must have included confessing and repenting of sin. He was already leading a revival. The Temple was being renovated. People were ready to humble themselves before the Lord. Finally, Josiah also took concrete action against sin, removing and  destroying the people’s idols (v. 33).

The fourth-century theologian Augustine was dying. Enemies were at the gates of his city in North Africa. How did he respond? He asked that the seven penitential psalms—psalms confessing and repenting of sin, such as Psalms 32 and 130—be written on sheets and hung around his bed. That way he could read and meditate on them, confessing his sins and preparing his soul to meet the Lord.
Confessing our sin is a highly valuable spiritual discipline. In 2 Chronicles 34:19, King Josiah “tore his robes” over sin. This dramatic action expressed deep grief, alarm, and humility. In this case, it also expressed the king’s desire to confess and repent.
What had happened? Hilkiah the priest had found “the Book of the Law of the LORD that had been given through Moses” (v. 14), probably the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament), which had apparently been lost. When it was read aloud to the king, Josiah realized how guilty the nation was of covenant unfaithfulness and sin (v. 21). In yesterday’s reading the crisis was external, in today’s episode it was internal. According to Scripture, the people of Judah deserved God’s wrath. What would happen? First, the king inquired of the prophet Hulda (v. 22). She answered that what the book said was true. God doesn’t change. But due to the king’s responsive heart, the punishment for idolatry and sin wouldn’t come during his lifetime (vv. 24–28).
Second, the king led a public renewal of the covenant (vv. 29–32). This must have included confessing and repenting of sin. He was already leading a revival. The Temple was being renovated. People were ready to humble themselves before the Lord. Finally, Josiah also took concrete action against sin, removing and  destroying the people’s idols (v. 33).

Torn Robes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/1790f52a-e07f-43e3-8c61-b1ef0172cffb/transcript

Whenever Charlie Brown in the Peanuts comic strip suffers frustration, he cries out, “Aaugh!” When his baseball team loses again—”Aaugh!” When he fails at the school spelling bee—”Aaugh!” When his kite crashes into the  “kite-eating tree”—”Aaugh!”

One can easily imagine King Hezekiah crying out “Aaugh!” to the Lord in today’s harrowing episode. The army of Assyria had arrived at the gates of Jerusalem. The enemy field commander had openly defied the Lord and gloated over their imminent conquest (2 Kings 18:17–37). Hearing this, Hezekiah “tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the LORD” (v. 1). In the culture of that day, these actions signified deep grief, alarm, and humility. The king knew the nation was in deep trouble. Unless God did something miraculous, Judah would shortly be defeated.

Tearing his clothes was in this case not a reaction of fear but of faith. How do we know? Because Hezekiah went to the Temple, that is, to the Lord, an action signifying worship and trust. He also sent his officials to inquire of Isaiah the prophet (v. 2), who answered that God would indeed rescue them. Those who blasphemed His name would not be allowed to win a victory here (vv. 5–6).

Later, King Sennacherib of Assyria again boastfully threatened Judah (vv. 9–13). Again, Hezekiah responded with prayer and faith (vv. 14–19). He was concerned not only with his kingly duty to defend the nation but also with God’s glory. In this case as well, Isaiah prophesied the defeat and downfall of Sennacherib, which shortly came true (2 Kings 19:20–37).

Hezekiah’s torn clothing and sackcloth were outward signs of an inner attitude, namely, faith and humility before the Lord. Without Him, Judah had no hope. With Him, the battle was already won!

Whenever Charlie Brown in the Peanuts comic strip suffers frustration, he cries out, “Aaugh!” When his baseball team loses again—”Aaugh!” When he fails at the school spelling bee—”Aaugh!” When his kite crashes into the  “kite-eating tree”—”Aaugh!”
One can easily imagine King Hezekiah crying out “Aaugh!” to the Lord in today’s harrowing episode. The army of Assyria had arrived at the gates of Jerusalem. The enemy field commander had openly defied the Lord and gloated over their imminent conquest (2 Kings 18:17–37). Hearing this, Hezekiah “tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the LORD” (v. 1). In the culture of that day, these actions signified deep grief, alarm, and humility. The king knew the nation was in deep trouble. Unless God did something miraculous, Judah would shortly be defeated.
Tearing his clothes was in this case not a reaction of fear but of faith. How do we know? Because Hezekiah went to the Temple, that is, to the Lord, an action signifying worship and trust. He also sent his officials to inquire of Isaiah the prophet (v. 2), who answered that God would indeed rescue them. Those who blasphemed His name would not be allowed to win a victory here (vv. 5–6).
Later, King Sennacherib of Assyria again boastfully threatened Judah (vv. 9–13). Again, Hezekiah responded with prayer and faith (vv. 14–19). He was concerned not only with his kingly duty to defend the nation but also with God’s glory. In this case as well, Isaiah prophesied the defeat and downfall of Sennacherib, which shortly came true (2 Kings 19:20–37).
Hezekiah’s torn clothing and sackcloth were outward signs of an inner attitude, namely, faith and humility before the Lord. Without Him, Judah had no hope. With Him, the battle was already won!

Humble Garments

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/8c05ff62-606f-4ee2-a2ab-b1ea0172d049/transcript

When preparing to attend a special occasion such as a graduation or a wedding day, most people plan their clothes well in advance. They wash and iron items. They might go shopping for new articles, including shoes, a dress, or a new suit and tie. A special day requires a special outfit.

In the same way, the people of Israel were commanded to consecrate themselves, including preparing their clothing, to be ready to meet God at Sinai. He’d delivered them from slavery, carrying them “on eagles’ wings” to this mountain (v. 4), just as He’d promised Moses (Ex. 3:12). Here they would receive the Law and become a real nation. God called them His “treasured possession” (v. 5) and “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (v. 6).

The Israelites needed to consecrate or purify themselves in order to be ready to meet with God. They’d already committed themselves to obey the Lord and keep the covenant (vv. 5, 7–8). This meeting would be a formal ratification of these promises and responsibilities. To prepare, one of the requirements was that the people must  wash their clothes (vv. 10, 14). In addition, they were to abstain from sex (v. 15) and to approach the designated meeting area with respect (vv. 12–13).

To “consecrate” means to “set apart as holy.” In those days, laundry was not a daily thing. There were no washing machines. It took a lot of work and water to wash clothing. On this occasion, clean clothes would be an outward sign of an appropriate inward, spiritual attitude. They would indicate purified hearts and souls ready to pledge faithfulness and obedience to the One who rules over all the earth and who had chosen them to be His special people (v. 5).

When preparing to attend a special occasion such as a graduation or a wedding day, most people plan their clothes well in advance. They wash and iron items. They might go shopping for new articles, including shoes, a dress, or a new suit and tie. A special day requires a special outfit.
In the same way, the people of Israel were commanded to consecrate themselves, including preparing their clothing, to be ready to meet God at Sinai. He’d delivered them from slavery, carrying them “on eagles’ wings” to this mountain (v. 4), just as He’d promised Moses (Ex. 3:12). Here they would receive the Law and become a real nation. God called them His “treasured possession” (v. 5) and “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (v. 6).
The Israelites needed to consecrate or purify themselves in order to be ready to meet with God. They’d already committed themselves to obey the Lord and keep the covenant (vv. 5, 7–8). This meeting would be a formal ratification of these promises and responsibilities. To prepare, one of the requirements was that the people must  wash their clothes (vv. 10, 14). In addition, they were to abstain from sex (v. 15) and to approach the designated meeting area with respect (vv. 12–13).
To “consecrate” means to “set apart as holy.” In those days, laundry was not a daily thing. There were no washing machines. It took a lot of work and water to wash clothing. On this occasion, clean clothes would be an outward sign of an appropriate inward, spiritual attitude. They would indicate purified hearts and souls ready to pledge faithfulness and obedience to the One who rules over all the earth and who had chosen them to be His special people (v. 5).

Purifying Ourselves

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/3039d893-e39c-48c1-bf5a-b1ef0172cef3/transcript

Repenting in Sackcloth

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