Biblical Repentance In The Old Testament

The origin for the need for biblical repentance is in Genesis:

In the beginning, God created all things in 6-days (Genesis 1).

When He looked at everything that He created, He called it “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

Unfortunately, Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s plan for them by doing the one thing He told them not to do: eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17; 3:1-6).

This event, known as the Fall, introduced sin to the world and its destructive consequences…most notably, death and separation from God.

This consequence has a universal effect on all of God’s once “very good” creation.

Read Romans 8:20-22

Sin’s destructive influence has touched every part of creation.

One of the most important parts that has been affected, as it relates to man, is the mind.

This is known in theology as “the noetic effect of sin.”

The Greek word for mind is νοῦς, and could also be translated as intellect or understanding

The word noetic derives its origin from νοῦς, and refers to the action of thinking

This noetic effect means that our reasoning abilities are no longer pure and proper all the time.

That does not mean we will always reason improperly.

We can think rationally, use mathematics, make proper judgments, etc.

It does mean that we cannot grasp spiritual truths and understand God's revelation apart from God’s help.

1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

This results in doubt, skepticism, and even suppression of truth. 

The book of Romans gives us a clear picture of what the unbelieving mind results in.

Read Romans 1:18-32

1:18 The unrighteous suppress the truth in unrighteousness

1:19 The unrighteous refuse to believe that which has been revealed to them what is known about God is made evident to them (c.f. Psalm 19:1-6)

1:20 The unrighteous are without excuse

1:21 The unrighteous refuse to honor or give thanks to their Creator, they are futile in their thinking, and have foolish, darkened hearts

1:22 The unrighteous are fools who profess to be wise

1:23 The unrighteous are prone to idolatry

1:24 The unrighteous are given to various lusts that dishonor their mortal bodies

1:25 The unrighteous prefer lies than the truth

1:26 The unrighteous are inclined to degrading passions and unnatural behaviors

1:27 The unrighteous do not acknowledge God in their thinking

1:30 The unrighteous heartily approve the unrighteous behavior of others

Read Romans 3:9-18

Verse 9 refers to Jews & Gentiles being under sin. That means the following statements apply to all people.

3:10 No one is righteous

3:11 No one understands or seeks God

3:12 No one does good

3:13 Everyone is a liar and deceiver

3:14 They curse and are full of bitterness

3:15 They are quick to injure or kill

3:16 Their way results in ruin and misery

3:17 They don’t know/can’t know the way of peace

3:18 They do not fear God

Even before Paul wrote the book of Romans, David wrote, The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good, (Psalm 14:1).

The noetic effects of sin have rendered people foolish;

they are intellectually and morally corrupt

they are doers of all manner of abominable deeds

they are haters of that which is good and holy

they see evil as good and good as evil

they are prevented from seeing the gospel clearly

The theology of the noetic effect of sin lays the ground work for the call of repentance in the gospel.

But repentance is not merely a New Testament concept, as the call to repentance can be found in the Old Testament, as well.

OLD TESTAMENT REPENTANCE

Repentance is much deeper than just feeling sorry or guilty about something wrong you've done.

Repentance (especially the Greek word μετάνοια) literally means a change of mind.

Not just thoughts; it’s a total turning of the heart, will, and actions toward God.

The Old Testament does not explicitly say, “Repent and believe,” as we see in the New Testament.

Over and over again, we see God’s expectation for His people to turn from their ways to follow after Him

Ezekiel 18:21–22 But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live.

1 Samuel 7:3 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”

1 Kings 13:33 (lack of repentance) After this thing Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but made priests for the high places again from among all the people. Any who would, he ordained to be priests of the high places.

2 Kings 17:13 Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”

Isaiah 55:7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

As you see in these texts, there is strong emphasis on turning from your own ways and toward the way of God as revealed in His Word.

Consider David’s example in Psalm 51 as one of the clearest examples of what biblical repentance looks like.

This is David’s prayer after he was confronted about his sin with Bathsheba

Honest Confession No excuses; just acknowledgment of His sin. (verses 3-4)

Appeal to God's Mercy David doesn’t try to bargain or say he deserves forgiveness. Instead, he pleads based on God's character. (verse 1)

Deep Awareness of Sin David isn’t just sorry for getting caught. He sees that his sin is serious — an offense against God Himself.

Desire for Cleansing David begs God to purify him, not just forgive him (verses 7-10)

Longing for Restoration Repentance leads to wanting to be right with God again, not just "feeling better." (verses 11-12)

Commitment to Change Repentance is more than just turning from sin and seeking forgiveness. It is a commitment to live differently. (verses 13-15)

True repentance = not excusing the sin, but begging for cleansing and restoration and committing to follow the Lord.