The apostle Paul tells us we will all “stand before God’s judgment seat” (Rom 14:10). This is a concept all Jews understand well. During the Ten Days of Awe beginning with Rosh Hashana and ending with Yom Kippur, Jews rehearse for this final judgment, giving an account of ourselves to God.

The standard explanation for why this judgment is necessary is that God is holy, and we are not, and we need to be forgiven for our sins. While this is true, it seems aridly theological, failing to give us a sense of what sin is, and why it matters.

The Torah reading for the first day of Rosh Hashana helps us understand both God’s holiness and our own unholiness. Referring to the conception and birth of Isaac, the text says:

Adonai remembered Sarah as he had said, and Adonai did for Sarah what he had promised (Gen 21:1-2).

Notice how the text highlights God’s faithfulness in keeping his word. Our morning communal services celebrate this: “Blessed is he who says and performs, blessed is he who decrees and fulfills.” Fundamental to God’s identity is that he always keeps his word.

On the other hand, previous chapter shows Abraham lying to Abimelech, King of Gerar (some say it was to his father), by representing Sarah as is sister rather than as his wife, so that Abimelech brought her into his harem. This brought God’s judgment upon Abimelech and his household, until the wrong was made right. It is crucial to note that even Abraham our father proved unfaithful in his words.

We need God’s forgiveness because he is faithful and we are not; he keeps his word, and we do not. This includes his promise to judge those who sin, and to forgive those who repent. May we seek and find his mercy now and always.

Published in Issue Nine / Volume Two / September 2010
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Stuart Dauerman

Stuart Dauerman

Stuart Dauermann, Ph.D. is Senior Scholar at Messianic Jewish Theological Institute and the Rabbi of Ahavat Zion Synagogue in Beverly Hills, California. Congregations.

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