The moment of exile was a severe trial for the Jewish people. They had seen that their kinfolk to the north lost the faith when they were deported. What would happen to the Jews at this moment of crisis? Azariah prays: “We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader, no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense, no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you.” All the things they had relied upon — nation, kingdom, temple, altar — had been taken from them. What made a Jew a Jew? Azariah says it is complete trust in God no matter how things appear. Those who trust in you cannot be put to shame. And now we follow you with our whole heart. The reasons that forgiveness is such a big deal for Jesus flows from its embodiment of such trust. Since the believer understands that all is a gift from God, forgiveness is possible as a response to the gift of forgiveness God has given us. We don’t need to guard ourselves from hurt since God is guarding us. We forgive because we know ourselves as forgiven.
