Iniquity

Summary

The video script delves into the biblical concept of 'avon', translating to 'iniquity', which metaphorically represents moral crookedness and distortion. It discusses how 'avon' encompasses both the act of sinning and its consequences, such as broken relationships and societal corruption. The script highlights God's response to 'avon', allowing individuals to experience the repercussions of their actions, while also offering forgiveness by bearing the 'avon'. It culminates in the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the embodiment of God's forgiving love, redeeming humanity from its crookedness.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Bible uses words like 'sin', 'iniquity', and 'transgression' to describe moral failings and broken trust, which may sound archaic to modern readers.
• 🌐 'Iniquity', derived from the Hebrew word 'avon', is associated with being bent or crooked, symbolizing moral distortion and deviation from righteousness.
• 🔍 'Avon' is linked to the Hebrew verb 'avah', which means to be bent or crooked, offering a metaphor for behaviors that deviate from what is straight or right.
• 👤 The concept of 'avon' is used to describe both the act of moral failure and the consequences of such actions, including hurt people and broken relationships.
• 📖 Biblical prophets like Jeremiah and in the book of Job use 'avon' to illustrate the nation's or individuals' deviation from God's covenant and moral uprightness.
• 🏛 In Isaiah 59, 'avon' describes the corruption among leaders and the moral distortion that prevents uprightness from entering the city.
• 🔄 'Avon' also refers to the idea of reaping what one sows, experiencing the consequences of one's own actions, which is a form of divine retribution.
• 🙏 The Bible portrays God's response to 'avon' as allowing people to bear the consequences of their actions, while also offering to carry their 'avon' as an act of forgiveness.
• 🕊️ Psalm 32 illustrates God's forgiveness by carrying the 'avon' of those who confess their sins, highlighting God's willingness to take on the burden of human wrongdoing.
• 🛐 In the Book of Isaiah, the concept of a servant who embodies God's forgiveness by carrying the 'avon' of many, and through this act, offering redemption and new life.
• ✝️ The New Testament continues these themes using the Greek word 'anomia', with Paul identifying Jesus as the servant who redeems humanity from the consequences of their crooked behavior.

Q & A

What does the Bible often use to describe the human condition?

The Bible uses terms like 'sin', 'iniquity', and 'transgression' to describe the human condition, indicating moral failure and broken trust.

Why might the vocabulary used in the Bible about human nature sound odd to modern people?

The vocabulary, including words like 'iniquity', may sound odd because they are archaic and not commonly used in modern language, leading to them being overlooked or considered outdated.

What is the Hebrew word 'avon' often translated to in English Bible translations?

'Avon' is often translated to 'iniquity', but can also be rendered as 'wickedness', 'guilt', or 'sin' in English Bible translations.

What is the literal meaning of the Hebrew verb 'avah' related to 'avon'?

The Hebrew verb 'avah' means to be bent or crooked, providing a metaphor for moral distortion or deviation from what is right.

How does the Bible use the metaphor of being crooked to describe people's behavior?

The Bible uses the metaphor of being crooked to describe behavior that deviates from moral uprightness, such as violating covenants or engaging in dishonest actions.

What does the term 'avon' encompass in terms of behavior according to the Bible?

'Avon' refers to a range of immoral behaviors, including those prohibited by the Ten Commandments, such as lying, murder, and adultery.

How does the Bible describe the consequences of 'avon' or crooked behavior?

The Bible describes the consequences of 'avon' as including hurt people, broken relationships, and cycles of retaliation, which are the results of distorted moral choices.

What does the biblical phrase 'to punish' imply in the context of 'avon'?

The biblical phrase 'to punish' implies visiting someone's 'avon' upon them, meaning to make them experience the consequences of their crooked choices.

How does the Bible portray God's response to human 'avon'?

God's response to human 'avon' is portrayed as allowing people to experience the consequences of their actions, but also offering to carry the 'avon' of corrupt people as an act of forgiveness and generosity.

What is the significance of 'carrying avon' in the context of God's forgiveness?

'Carrying avon' signifies God's forgiveness by taking responsibility for the consequences of people's sins, as shown in instances like Psalm 32 where God is said to have carried the 'avon' of the Psalmist's sin.

How is the concept of 'avon' further developed in the New Testament?

In the New Testament, the concept of 'avon' is carried forward using the Greek word 'anomia', with the Apostle Paul identifying Jesus as the one who redeems humanity from the consequences of their crooked behavior.

What is the ultimate goal of God's actions as depicted in the Bible regarding 'avon'?

The ultimate goal is to make everything right, taking crooked people and the twisted world they have created and restoring it through Jesus, inviting humanity to become whole and walk upright with God and each other.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Biblical Perspective on Human Nature and 'Avon'

This paragraph delves into the Bible's unique terminology for human moral failings, such as 'sin', 'iniquity', and 'transgression', which are often overlooked as archaic. The term 'iniquity', translated from the Hebrew 'avon', is explored in depth, revealing its literal meaning of being 'bent' or 'crooked'. The biblical authors use 'avon' to describe not only immoral actions like lying and murder but also the resulting distortions in society and personal relationships. The paragraph highlights how 'avon' symbolizes the consequences of such actions, such as hurt and brokenness, and discusses God's response to human 'avon', which includes allowing people to experience the repercussions of their choices and offering forgiveness by 'carrying' the 'avon' of the individual, as exemplified in Psalm 32. The concept reaches its zenith in the Book of Isaiah, where a 'servant' embodies God's forgiveness by bearing the 'avon' of many, ultimately overcoming death to offer life to others.

Keywords

💡Sin

Sin in the script refers to moral failure, a concept central to understanding the human condition as depicted in the Bible. It is a term that denotes actions or thoughts that go against divine law or ethical standards. The script uses 'sin' to illustrate the brokenness of human nature and the need for redemption, as seen in the context of the Ten Commandments and the moral failings of individuals and societies.

💡Iniquity

Iniquity, derived from the Hebrew word 'avon,' is a biblical term that describes not only immoral actions but also the twisted and distorted consequences of such actions. In the script, 'iniquity' is tied to the metaphor of being crooked or bent, indicating a deviation from righteousness. It is used to discuss the broader implications of sin, including the damage done to relationships and societal structures.

💡Transgression

Transgression in the script is the act of breaking trust with others, often through violations of moral or societal norms. It is a term that emphasizes the relational aspect of sin, highlighting how individual actions can impact the community. The script uses 'transgression' to discuss the broken covenants and the resulting disconnect between people and God.

💡Avon

'Avon' is the Hebrew word for 'iniquity' and is related to the verb 'avah,' meaning to be bent or crooked. In the script, 'avon' is used metaphorically to describe moral distortion and the resulting behavior that deviates from what is straight or right. It is a key term that helps to convey the idea of moral crookedness and its pervasive effects on individuals and society.

💡Crookedness

Crookedness, as discussed in the script, is a metaphor for moral and ethical deviation. It is derived from the Hebrew understanding of 'avon' and is used to describe behaviors and choices that are not aligned with righteousness. The script illustrates how crookedness can infiltrate various aspects of life, from personal actions to societal structures, leading to widespread distortion and harm.

💡Consequences

Consequences in the script refer to the outcomes or results of one's actions, particularly when those actions are morally or ethically wrong. The term is used to discuss the ripple effects of sin and iniquity, such as hurt people, broken relationships, and cycles of retaliation. It is a crucial concept in understanding the script's exploration of how actions impact not only the individual but also the community.

💡Punishment

Punishment, as mentioned in the script, is the act of visiting someone's 'avon' upon them, which means to experience the repercussions of one's crooked choices. It is a biblical concept that emphasizes the natural or divine response to immoral behavior, allowing individuals to face the results of their actions as a form of retribution or correction.

💡Forgiveness

Forgiveness in the script is depicted as God's gracious response to human 'avon,' offering to carry the burden of iniquity as an act of generosity. It is a central theme in the biblical narrative, illustrating God's willingness to absolve individuals of their sins and restore relationship. The script uses 'forgiveness' to highlight the redemptive power of God's love and mercy.

💡The Servant

The term 'The Servant' in the script refers to a figure in the Book of Isaiah who embodies God's forgiving love by carrying the 'avon' of many, allowing it to crush him. This servant represents the ultimate act of sacrifice and redemption, absorbing humanity's crookedness and offering a path to salvation. The script uses 'The Servant' to convey the depth of God's commitment to humanity's restoration.

💡Anomia

Anomia is a Greek term used in the New Testament, similar in meaning to 'iniquity' and 'avon.' It represents the crooked behavior and its consequences that individuals must face. In the script, 'anomia' is used by the Apostle Paul to identify Jesus as the one who redeems humanity from the twisted outcomes of their actions, offering a way to overcome the moral distortions of the world.

💡Redemption

Redemption in the script is the process of being redeemed from the consequences of one's 'anomia' or crooked behavior. It is a central theme that speaks to the transformative power of God's forgiveness and the restoration of relationship with God and others. The script uses 'redemption' to illustrate the biblical promise of salvation through Jesus, enabling individuals to become whole and walk upright once again.

Highlights

The Bible offers a profound diagnosis of human nature through words like 'sin', 'iniquity', and 'transgression'.

The term 'iniquity' is translated from the Hebrew word 'avon', which means to be bent or crooked.

The metaphor of being crooked is used to describe moral failure and violation of trust in the Bible.

The concept of 'avon' encompasses various forms of immoral behavior, including those listed in the Ten Commandments.

In Isaiah 59, 'avon' describes the moral distortion and corruption among Israel's leaders who ignored injustice towards the poor.

The word 'avon' also refers to the consequences of distorted behavior, such as hurt people and broken relationships.

The biblical phrase 'to punish' means to let someone experience the consequences of their 'avon' or crooked choices.

God's response to human 'avon' often involves allowing people to bear the consequences of their actions as a form of dignity.

God also offers to carry the 'avon' of corrupt people as an act of forgiveness and generosity.

In Psalm 32, God is portrayed as forgiving by taking responsibility for a person's 'avon' or sin.

The Book of Isaiah introduces the figure of 'the servant' who embodies God's forgiving love by carrying the 'avon' of many.

The servant in Isaiah is depicted as absorbing humanity's crookedness and offering his life to others after emerging from death.

In the New Testament, the apostles use the Greek word 'anomia', similar in meaning to 'avon', to describe moral distortion.

Paul the Apostle identifies Jesus as the servant who redeems humanity from the consequences of 'anomia' or crooked behavior.

The biblical narrative is about God's desire to correct the twisted world and make everything right through Jesus.

God invites people to become whole and walk upright with Him and each other, as depicted in the biblical story.

Transcripts

Most people assume the Bible has a lot to say about how messed up humans are, and that is true.

It is also true that the Bible's vocabulary about this topic sounds odd to modern people,

using words like "sin", "iniquity", or "transgression".

And so, the Bible's perspective on the human condition is often ignored or treated as ancient and backwards.

This is really unfortunate.

Because through these words, the biblical authors are offering us a deeply profound diagnosis of human nature.

Sin refers to moral failure.

And transgression describes how we break trust with others.

And iniquity... no one even uses that word anymore.

So, what is it all about?

In Bible translations, "iniquity" is one way the Hebrew word "avon" gets translated.

It is also rendered by words like "wickedness," "guilt," or "sin".

So what does "avon" actually mean?

The word "avon" is related to a Hebrew verb "avah" which means to be bent or crooked.

The poet of Psalm 36 says his back is "avah'd." That is, bent over in pain.

Or, in Lamentations chapter 3, a road that isn't straight is one that avahs.

That is, it is twisty and crooked.

This image of being crooked offered biblical poets a powerful metaphor to talk about people's behavior.

Like Jeremiah, who said that Israel had "avah'd" their way by violating their covenant with God and giving allegiance to idols.

Or, in the book of Job, a person who morally fails is someone who "avah's" what is right.

In both cases, something that is supposed to be level or even, your choices or your conscience, has been bent out of shape, distorted.

In the Bible, "avon" refers to all kinds of crooked behavior, Ten Commandments' kind of stuff: lying, murder, adultery...

In Isaiah chapter 59 "avon" describes the corruption among Israel's leaders who are ignoring the injustice done to the poor.

The Prophet cleverly adapts the metaphor saying,

"We have so much 'avon,' that is, crookedness, that uprightness can't even enter our city."

Things were so morally distorted in Jerusalem that crooked was the new straight.

Another fascinating thing about the word "avon" is that it refers not only to distorted behavior,

but also to the crooked consequences: the hurt people, the broken relationships, the cycles of retaliation.

You find this idea in the biblical phrase "to punish" which in biblical Hebrew is to visit someone's "avon" upon them.

That is, to let them sit in the consequences of their crooked choices.

This is what the Prophet Jeremiah said about the Babylonians who were destroying other nations.

One day those nations would destroy them in return,

and so Babylon's divine punishment would be having to live in a disfigured world of its own making.

This is actually the main way biblical authors talk about God's response to human "avon":

letting people experience the crooked consequences of their choices.

This is the meaning of the common biblical phrase to "bear your iniquity" or, in Hebrew, to carry your "avon".

God gives people the dignity of carrying the consequences of their bad decision

But that is not the only way God responds to "avon" in the Bible.

He also offers to carry the "avon" of corrupt people as an act of sheer generosity.

In fact, "carrying avon" is the most common Hebrew phrase for God's forgiveness.

Like Psalm 32 where the poet says:

"I didn't hide my 'avon' but confessed it and you carried the 'avon' of my sin."

This is actually shocking if you stop and think about it.

God forgives people by taking responsibility for their "avon".

This idea reaches its high point in the Book of Isaiah where God appoints a figure called "the servant".

He will embody God's forgiving love by carrying the "avon" of many and allowing it to crush him.

This servant will absorb humanity's crookedness, letting it overwhelm and destroy him.

But that is not the end of the story.

The servant will emerge out the other side of death alive and well so he can offer his life to others.

When you get to the New Testament, the apostles carry these ideas forward using the Greek word "anomia", which has a similar meaning.

Like Paul the Apostle, he identified the servant as Jesus.

And he said, "Our great God and Savior, Jesus the Messiah, gave his life on our behalf

in order to redeem us from all of our 'anomia', our crooked behavior's consequences.

And so, the whole biblical story is about God's desire to take crooked people and the twisted world that we have created and to make everything right.

Through Jesus, God invites us to become whole humans once again,

people who can walk upright with God and with each other.

That is the story behind the biblical words for iniquity.