1. Introduction
Exod.12:22-23 “And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin.”
The first Passover feast – a prophetic picture of Christ Our Passover (1 Cor. 5:7).
Blood was applied in three places – the lintel and the two doorposts.
Israel stood by faith behind the protection provided by the blood of the lamb.
Three wrongs were atoned for by the blood:
(i) Sin = an unintentional wrong, action committed in ignorance (Lev. 4:27) – sins of ignorance.
(ii) Transgressions = wrong committed with full knowledge.
(iii) Iniquity = an inner twist that moves a person to commit sins and transgressions.
Three different words – three different offences – one remedy – The Blood of Jesus Christ.
Is.53:5-6 “He was bruised for our iniquities … and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all!”
2. What is Iniquity?
(i) It is the driving power, the motivating force behind sins and transgressions.
· Ezel.21:24
· Whenever sins and transgressions occur iniquity is remembered – it is the root cause.
(ii) It is an internal corrupting force
· Mt.23:28 “Even so outwardly appear righteous to man but inside you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”
· It is an inner torment, pain, pressure, force that motivates people to sin.
(iii) It is a painful and lasting influence
· The first mention of the word iniquity is associated with Cain.
· Gen. 4:11-13 “My punishment is greater than I can bear.”
· Punishment = Heb 5771 Avon = punishment, iniquity.
· O.T. Avon = to bend, twist, distort, do perversely, be crooked.
= an inner force that causes a person to be twisted.
= a punishment – a painful long lasting consequence of a
wrong action.
· Dictionary: iniquity = wickedness from wicca = to twist, wick-twisted condition.
· N.T. Iniquity =458= anomia = illegal, violate the law of God, contempt for the law.
· Person thinks: I am an exception – this law does not apply to me.
(iv) It is the motivating force or power behind sins and transgressions
E.g. Gen. 4:5 Why are you angry?
Cain was angry with God and angry with his brother Abel.
· Anger = iniquity = motivating force or drive.
· Murder = transgression = resulting action.
E.g. Sermon on the Mount.
· Mt.5:21-22 Anger = iniquity; murder = resulting action.
· Mt.5:27-28 Lust = iniquity; adultery = resulting action.
· Iniquity is the spider – sins and transgressions are the web.
3. What is the Root Cause of Iniquity?
(i) The Origin is Demonic
· Ezek.28:14-18 “Iniquity was found in you.”
· The first occurrence of iniquity – it was found in Lucifer.
· He desired (lusted) after things that belonged to God –
· Lucifer became corrupted by iniquity and sought to rebel against God.
· He traded – exchanged his relationship and role with God in order to exalt himself.
· Satan – imparted iniquity into Adam and Eve – spiritual impartation.
(ii) The Origin is Generational
· Exod.20:1-6 “..visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.”
· If God applied the death penalty to Adam immediately then no descendents.
· God showed justice – He required a consequence for sin.
· God showed mercy – He spread the death penalty over several generations. He forgave their transgressions but the consequences were carried to successive generations in the form of a twist or bent towards sinning.
· The sin is charged to the offender – the iniquity is spread over three or four generations.
· Ps.106:6 “We have sinned with our fathers – we have committed iniquity.”
· Iniquity manifests as a twist towards sin – if the family members sins it carries on.
· E.g. murder = anger is passed on
Idolatry = pride, fear is passed on
Sexual sin = lust of all kinds is passed on
· E.g. King David’s sin of adultery and murder = iniquity passed on to family.
Family experienced = rape, murder, betrayal
– Amnon/Absolum/Adonejah/Solomon
David’s origin – tribe of Judah = sexual sin with daughter in law Tama
Resultant iniquities – rejection (Dt.23:2) lust (Ps.57:5).
(iii) How is Iniquity passed on?
· Human spirit carries iniquity
· Human DNA carries “twists”
· Family environment – how the child is raised.
4. What is the Remedy? The Blood of Jesus!
· Tit.2:14 “He redeemed us from all iniquity”
· Is.53:5-6 “He was bruised (shed blood) for our iniquities the Lord has Laid on Him the iniquity of all”
· Col.2:14-15 “He took away the list of ordinances that was against us!
· Heb.10:12-17 “Their iniquities I will remember no more
· New Covenant = New Spirit = New Spiritual DNA!
· How can I be free?
(i) Confession of iniquity (fathers and own Lev.26:40-42; Neh.9:2)
(ii) Faith – believe and confess what Jesus did (Rom.6:6)
(iii) Depart from iniquity (2 Tim2:19).