SINS REMOVED AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST?
June 28, 2019
READING TIME: 1-2 MINUTES
“Dave, what does it mean in Psalm 103:12 when it says our sins have been removed as far as the east is from the west?”
What does it mean to have our sins removed “as far as the east is from the west”? Why not “as far as the north is from the south”?
“From east to west” is a Hebrew expression for infinity. See Micah 7:19 for a similar expression.
If someone travels north or south, he finally arrives at a pole from which he can proceed no farther north or south. However, if someone travels east or west, he never reaches such a point. God did not say He forgives (or removes) our sins as far as the north is from the south, but as far as the east is from the west, namely: to infinity—in degree or distance.
This removal of sins was accomplished by faith just like in the New Testament. Five points are important: (1) The Requirement for salvation in both the Old and New Testaments are the same – Faith; (2) The Object of our saving faith in any age is the same— God; (3) The Means of Salvation in any age is the same— Grace; 4) The Basis for our Salvation in any age is the same— the Blood of Christ; but 5) The Content of our Faith from age to age is variable.
Regarding the fifth point, it’s important to understand the concept of progressive revelation. Adam and Eve will be in heaven, but they had less revelation than we do now. God’s redemption was revealed in progressive steps. NT believers (after Jesus lived on the earth) had a much clearer understanding and picture of the Messiah Jesus. Before that time, the people had limited information about Him, but the picture was not clear – just shadows and types.
Sources Used
Anderson, David R. Free Grace Soteriology: 3rd Edition (p. 68). Grace Theology Press.
Constable, Dr. Thomas L. “Notes on Psalms.” <http://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/psalms.pdf>, 356.
McDowell, Josh; McDowell, Sean. The Bible Handbook of Difficult Verses (The McDowell Apologetics Library). Harvest House Publishers.