Isaiah 38:17 "You Have Cast All My Sins Behind Your Back..."
Pastor Andy focuses on the last line of Isaiah 38:17, "For you have cast all my sins behind your back," and digs into what sin is, what it does, and what God has done about it. Sin is defined two ways: The Greek archery term for missing the target entirely (Romans 3:23), and the force that crouches at the door wanting to control and destroy (Genesis 4:6-7). God's forbearance in the Old Testament — overlooking sin like a dirty diaper you're about to change — is not the same as forgiving it. Forgiveness, as seen in Colossians 2, means actually dealing with the problem. Only God can truly forgive because only He can restore what was lost. The message closes in Revelation 5 and the question for every person listening is simply: What do you want? Do you want to know Him?
Exact Scripture References
Isaiah 38:9-20 (main text — Hezekiah's writing after his healing)
Isaiah 38:17 (focus verse — "you have cast all my sins behind your back")
Isaiah 59:1-2 (referenced — your iniquities have separated you from God)
Genesis 4:6-7 (referenced — first use of the word "sin" in the Bible — crouching at the door)
Romans 3:23-25 (referenced — all have sinned, God passed over sins in forbearance)
Acts 17:30 (referenced — times of ignorance God overlooked)
Colossians 2:13-14 (referenced — wiped out the handwriting of requirements, nailed to the cross)
Revelation 5:1-10 (referenced — the scroll sealed with seven seals, the Lamb who is worthy)
Jeremiah 29:13 (referenced — seek the Lord and you will find Him)
Romans 5:20-21 (referenced — grace reigns over your life)
Topics and Keywords
Hezekiah's song after healing, the full range of human emotion
Sins cast behind God's back
What is sin? Two definitions: missing the mark and the force that controls
God's forbearance
The difference between overlooking and forgiving sin
God as the only One who can truly forgive
Colossians 2 — wiping out the handwriting of requirements
Revelation 5 — the title deed to all creation
The seven seals as claims of justice against the earth
The Lamb as the only one worthy to open the scroll
The church removed, justice satisfied, new creation
Romans 5 — Sin reigning versus grace reigning
Two applications: the person who doesn't know God and the wandering Christian