First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

testimony. Abraham was especially honored and was called the friend of God. However, seriously considering the glory of God, he humbly declared, “I who am but dust and ashes” (Gen 18:27). Moreover, it is written about Job, “that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1). But bringing an accusation against himself, he said, “No man is free from desecration, even if his life be but only one day” ( Job 14:4–5, LXX ). Moses was called faithful in all God’s house, and through his ministry God punished Egypt with plagues and tortures. Even though greatly honored, he did not speak pridefully when the divine voice came from out of the burning bush. Instead he said, “Who am I that You send me? I am slow of speech and of tongue” ( Exod 3:11; 4:10 ). And again he said, “I am but as the smoke of a pot.” 1 Then what will we say concerning the testimony of David of whom God said, “I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart” (Acts 13:22) and “with everlasting mercy I have anointed him” ( Ps 89:20 )? Yet this very man says to God, Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin

1 Source unknown.