By Kyle Beshears
Instructor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Set Free
Leviticus 16:3–10, 29–30
Preparing to Sacrifice (3–6)
The beginning of this passage reminds us of the sobering event where we last left off. Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu, were killed for disobediently stepping outside the boundaries of God’s law (Lev. 10:1–2). At the time Aaron remained silent (Lev. 10:3). Doubtless he grieved with the loss of his sons. Yet through it all he maintained the right perspective on God’s holiness. God, not wanting Aaron to suffer the same fate as his sons, gave him the exact method to approach the divine presence — through sacrifice. This is an important reminder that we cannot come to God on our terms; rather, we must approach God on His terms.
Even though the world advertises many different avenues to God, in reality there is only one. We are left with only two options: to follow the example of Aaron or his sons. God has made one way to Himself through the sacrifice and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only Way, Truth and Life, the only means by which we come to the Father (John 14:6). The rest of this passage will foreshadow exactly how the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus made this one way possible.
The Chosen Goat (7–10)
Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do? If so, what word did you use to describe your situation? Likely, it was scapegoat. This passage is where that idea comes from. In order to receive forgiveness for sins, Israel would offer a sacrifice through their high priest. To show the people that their sins were removed, Aaron was instructed to sacrifice one goat while symbolically putting the sins of the people on the other. This other goat, the scapegoat, was led off into the wild never to return. God wanted His people to see the removal of their sins as they ran far away into the wilderness. As the goat fled the presence of the people, so the sin of the people fled their presence. God forgave their sins and removed its stain from His people. This is, of course, the same desire God has for us. Scripture tells us that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:12). The wonderful truth behind this psalm is that east and west have no end — you could follow a compass either direction and never come to the end of either. When God graciously forgives us, our sin — like the scapegoat — walks off into the wilderness and never returns.
The Day of Atonement (29–30)
Of all the biblical feasts the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was the most somber. It was the day when Israel reflected on her sin and mortality even as those sins were met with God’s life-giving grace and forgiveness.
The Day of Atonement became so important that it was eventually referred to as simply “The Day.” The significance of this day as a foreshadowing of the crucifixion of Christ is important. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies on this day by passing through the veil. Christ’s death, however, tore the veil in half from top to bottom, signifying that His sacrifice forever removed the separation between God and His people (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). Moreover the sacrifice Israel made was required annually but the sacrifice Christ made was once for all (Heb. 9:25–28). Jesus’ sacrifice fulfilled the intention behind not only the Day of Atonement but the entire sacrificial system. In other words, anyone who believes in Christ has both a perfect sacrifice and a high priest as their mediator (1 John 2:1–2).
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