Hebrew Word Study – Taking Pleasure – Chaphets – Chet Pei Sade

Micah 7:18-19: “Who is a God like unto thee that pardoned iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retained not his anger forever because he delighted in mercy.  He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depth of the sea.”

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The Book of Micah is one large poem filled with metaphors, pictures, and word plays. It is a book of hope and a picture of a God who loves to extend mercy and compassion. Verses 7:18-19 appear to parallel Exodus 14-15 which gives the story of the crossing of the Red Sea. The crossing of the Red Sea is a foreshadowing of the cross. Egypt represents our bondage to sin and the Egyptians crossing the Red Sea as the waters covered them burying them in the depths of the sea is a picture of our sins being buried in the deepest sea. Just as the Egyptians had no control over Israel, Sin has no control over us.

Exodus 15:11 raises an interesting question: “Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? This parallels to Micah 7:18: “Who is a God like unto thee. What is it that sets God Jehovah apart from other gods? Truly it is His great power and the fact that He is the creator of all things. Yet, Micah expresses something else that sets God apart from all other Gods. He is a God who delights in mercy or lovingkindness.   

The word delight in Hebrew in chaphest which has the idea of bending, inclining oneself, and taking pleasure in. In extra-Biblical literature, you find it used to describe a king who honors one of his subjects by stepping down from his throne and greeting him face to face. 

God Jehovah is a God who loves to show mercy and lovingkindness. All the other gods in the world, the Hindu gods, and the god of Islam are gods that are feared by its followers.  They serve their gods out of fear. They avoid sin because they fear punishment from their gods. God Jehovah is a God of love, who takes pleasure in forgiving sins and extending mercy. We serve God Jehovah out of love not fear. Followers of other gods will offer sacrifices and offerings to their gods in hopes of receiving special favors. God Jehovah does not need to be bribed with offerings or good behavior; he will bless us because He loves us.  

Micah 7:18-19 is only for those who have an intimate relationship with God. Because unless you have an intimate relationship with God your avoidance of sin will be out of fear that God will not bless you. But if you have an intimate relationship with God Jehovah, you will be filled with guilt and condemnation over having offended the God you love. This is where God delights in showing His mercy or lovingkindness.

Martin Luther lived with a feeling of condemnation. He was constantly running to the priest to confess the slightest infraction. Martin Luther longed to be close to God but felt that he could not because of his sin. So even with the slightest sin, he would promptly go to confession: “Father forgive me for I stepped on an ant today and did in anger.” The priest finally in exasperation told Martin Luther: “Martin Luther, why don’t you go out and kill your grandmother so you have something decent to confess.”   

One day while Martin Luther was studying his Aramaic and Greek and he translated Romans 8:1 which said that there was now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. The word condemnation in Aramaic is chayibivatha which is in an emphatic state from the root chayib. It has the idea of a sense of guilt and an act that is worthy of one who is condemned to death. It suddenly struck Martin Luther that that was the whole purpose for the death of Jesus on the cross was to remove all the sin from us. Martin Luther suddenly realized that all his sins, past, present, and future were forgiven by the finished work of the cross and that he did have to confess every sin. 

Once Martin Luther realized that all his sins were buried in the deepest sea and that he was under no condemnation, he suddenly entered into the peace and rest of Jesus Christ.  It also kicked off the Protestant Reformation. This caused much consternation with the mother church who felt that if people really believed their sins were buried in the deepest sea, they would lose control over the people. They would have no need to attend services and “gasp!” pay their tithes. 

I have found that when I lack the peace and rest of God it is often the result of fretting over my sins and failure. It is that little voice of the enemy saying; “Just who do you think you are to seek a relationship with the holy God after what you have done.” I stand there and scratch my head and say; “You know you’re right.”  I am then flooded with a sense of hopelessness and fear.   It is only when I turn to the source of that small voice and say; “Satan, you’re a liar, every sin, past, present, and future is nailed to the cross and under the blood of Jesus.” It is then I experience chaphest, I am subdued. In this surrender, I find the peace of God.

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