Wisdom's Corner
Let God Do the Washing

Many nations today have machines that do the washing of clothes. You put your clothes in the machine along with some soap and turn the machine on. Later you come back to take the clothes out.

During Bible times clothes were washed a much different way. The clothes would be taken to a stream, or pool, or watering trough. The clothes would be dipped into the water several times. Then the clothes would be placed upon a flat stone and beat with a club or another rock. The clothes would be rinsed with water.

In Psalm 51:2, we read, "Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." The Hebrew word here for 'wash' means to 'wash by beating or kneading'. This is the word used for the way they washed clothes in this manner.

David was saying that he wanted God to do whatever was necessary to make him clean from his iniquity. Tradition tells us that this psalm was written by David after he had commited a terrible sin. Nathan the prophet had come to David and made him admit what he had done wrong.Then David prayed, asking God to forgive him and cleanse him.

We can learn much from David's attitude in this psalm. When we do something wrong, we should be willing to admit it and then ask God for forgiveness. Sometimes it may not be easy to do what is right. Sometimes the results of our sins will cause us great sadness. We must be willing to accept responsibility for our actions. And we must be willing to ask God to do whatever is necessary to make things right. We must be willing to ask Him to "wash" us completely.

Of course, the best thing to do is not commit sin. We should be striving to always live right and do what God would have us do. The only way we can be sure we are living right is to continue to study His word. We should constantly read it and study it to know what God has told us to do.

If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you. Until next time, get the wisdom of God.

Mark McWhorter

Copyright 2001

Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)