Chapter 7
THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
Before we begin our study let us pray,
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please Father, grant us the eyes to see, ears to hear and heart to receive the things You have written in Your Word. Grant us a better understanding of them so we can come to know You better and Your ways and desires. Father please help us to better understand Your teaching and foreshadowing that comes from the Day of Atonement.
Amen
INTRODUCTION
In our study of the Day of Atonement we will:
1. Review the purpose for the Day of Atonement.
2. Briefly review the three main sections of the Temple area and the activities that were to be performed in them.
3. Examine the instructions God gave for the observance of the Day of Atonement.
4. See how the Day of Atonement was a foreshadowing to point to and teach us about the atonement our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ accomplished for us once and for all.
PURPOSE
For a clear understanding of the purpose and meaning of the Day of Atonement we begin by reading Webster's New World Dictionary's definition for the word atone; which is:
1. To make amends or reparation (that is to repair or restore) for a wrong doing or for a wrong doer.
2. To bring into agreement; reconcile.
With this definition in mind let us now go to the Old Testament and read the purpose God gave for the Day of Atonement. It is provided to us in,
Leviticus 16:29-30
""[29] This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work--whether native-born or an alien living among you-- [30] because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins."
Let us notice the following verses:
29(a) … Once every year on the 10th day of Tishri, which corresponds to our September/October timeframe, was to be set aside for the observance of this feast. Thus, the atonement to be made during this feast was different and to be done in addition to all the times when the sin offering was to be sacrificed to atone for known sins (Leviticus 4:13-31).
29(b) … In other words they were to humble themselves and do no work on the Day of Atonement.
30 … This is the day they were made clean before the Lord from all their sins, that is known and unknown.
Before we explore the instructions God gave for the observance of the Day of Atonement, it would be helpful for us to briefly review the three main partitions of the Temple area and the atonement activity that was to occur within them.
THE TEMPLE AREA
The Temple area was enclosed or surrounded by a very large wall with four gates of entry. Inside this wall was a large area called the Temple court. The actual Temple, which was also known as the Tabernacle or Sanctuary was inside this court yard. In front of the entrance to the actual Temple was a large basin filled with water and a bronze altar. This basin was very large and contained approximately 18,000 gallons of water. It was here that the priests ceremonially washed themselves. The bronze altar was also called the Altar of Burnt Offering. It was in front of this altar that the animal sacrifices were slaughtered. After the sacrifices were slaughtered, the priest would take some of its blood and sprinkle it on and around the altar. In addition, it was on this altar that the priest would offer to God, via fire, the prescribed portion or portions of the slaughtered animal (to see this please read Leviticus 4:27-31).
The inside of the Temple or Tabernacle was partitioned into two sections separated by a thick veil or curtain. These two sections were called the Holy Place and the Holiest of Holies or the Most Holy Place. As the priest entered the Temple he entered into the Holy Place. It is here where the golden lamp stand, the show bread and the altar of incense resided (see Exodus 26:31-35). If the priest or the whole congregation of Israel sinned, then in addition to sprinkling some of the blood of the sin offering on and around the bronze altar, blood also had to be brought into the Holy Place. In the Holy Place the blood had to be sprinkled on the altar of incense and in front of the veil that was the partition for the Most Holy Place (Leviticus 4:3-12).
Behind the veil was the section of the Temple called the Holiest of Holies or the Most Holy Place. This is where the Ark of the Covenant or Testimony was placed. On top of the Ark of the Covenant was the Mercy Seat. Fashioned on each end of the mercy Seat were two golden Cherubim (angels) facing each other but looking down toward the Mercy Seat. It was above the Mercy Seat where the Presence of God rested (Exodus 25:10-22).
As we will see in our study this is where the High Priest could only enter in on the Day of Atonement. It was here he would seek the mercy of God by sprinkling, once a year, the blood of the animal sacrifice to atone for all the sins committed by the people of Israel.
With the above background in mind, let us now proceed to read and explore the,
ACTIVITIES THAT WERE PERFORMED ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
God's instructions to Moses for what was to occur on the Day of Atonement is best summarized in,
Leviticus 16:2-28
"[2] The LORD said to Moses: "Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.
Aaron was the High Priest. It is noted that only the High Priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place (Leviticus 16:32). It addition, the High Priest was only permitted into this portion of the Tabernacle once a year on the Day of Atonement. It is also noted that the Mercy Seat that covered the Ark of the Covenant was also called the Atonement Cover.
[3] "This is how Aaron is to enter the sanctuary area: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. [4] He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.
To make it clear that the High Priest was chosen to represent all the Jewish people, in addition to the above garments the High Priest also wore a breastplate and two onyx stones, see chapter 17. The breast plate consisted of four rows of three precious stones. Each stone represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The purpose of this breastplate is recorded in,
Exodus 28:29
[29] “So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually.
Each one of the two onyx stones had six names of the tribes of Israel engraved on them. The purpose of these stones is recorded in,
Exodus 28:12
[12] And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders as a memorial.
Let us now return to Chapter 16 of Leviticus and read from,
[5] From the Israelite community he is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. [6] "Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household.
Let us notice the following two verses,
5 …The congregation was to give Aaron two goats for a sin offering. In addition, to symbolically rededicate themselves to the Lord they were also to offer a ram as a whole burnt offering (see verse 10).
6 … Also note, Aaron was to offer a bull as a sin offering for himself and his family (see Leviticus 4:3).
[7] Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. [8] He is to cast lots for the two goats--one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat. [9] Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. [10] But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat.
One goat was for the sin offering and the other, called the scapegoat, was to symbolically carry their sins away from the camp.
[11] "Aaron shall bring the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household, and he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering. [12] He is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and take them behind the curtain.
The censer full of incense is symbolic of the prayers of the people being offered up to God (see Revelation 5:8). Let us continue with the following verse,
[13] He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the Testimony, so that he will not die.
Since God’s presence was above the Mercy Seat or Atonement Cover, the incense shielded Aaron from inadvertently looking at God’s presence or glory. The reason for this comes to light by reviewing how God responded to Moses’ request to see His glory. To read God’s response we go to,
Exodus 33:20-23
[20] But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” [21] And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. [22] So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. [23] Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”
Let us return to Chapter 16 of Leviticus and read the following verses,
[14] He is to take some of the bull's blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover. [15] "He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull's blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it. [16] In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness. [17] No one is to be in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel. [18] "Then he shall come out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull's blood and some of the goat's blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. [19] He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.
Notice that atonement was made for the Most Holy Place, the Temple and the altar. The question arises as to; “Why was this necessary?” Let us recall that it was within these structures where the Holy Presence of God resided. Since these places resided in the midst of the people’s uncleanness (verse 16 and 19b), atonement had to be made for them. Let us now move on and read the following verses from Chapter 16 of Leviticus.
[20] "When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. [21] He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites--all their sins--and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. [22] The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert.
After atonement had been accomplished, to symbolically illustrate what had happened, Aaron transferred (via the laying on of hands) the sins of the nation upon the scapegoat. The scapegoat was then released into the wilderness to signify that the sins of Israel were no longer before God.
Now that atonement was made for the Most Holy Place, the Temple and the altars, it was time for atonement to be made for the High Priest, his family and the rest of the congregation. To see this let us return to Chapter 16 of Leviticus and read from,
[23] "Then Aaron is to go into the Tent of Meeting and take off the linen garments he put on before he entered the Most Holy Place, and he is to leave them there. [24] He shall bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his regular garments. Then he shall come out and sacrifice the burnt offering for himself and the burnt offering for the people, to make atonement for himself and for the people. [25] He shall also burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar. [26] "The man who releases the goat as a scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may come into the camp. [27] The bull and the goat for the sin offerings, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp; their hides, flesh and offal are to be burned up. [28] The man who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may come into the camp."
OBSERVATION
In considering all we have covered one begins to realize how much God must hate sin and cannot even stand the sight of it.
With all this Old Testament background and observation the questions become as to; "How does all this relate to you and me?" And "How does it foreshadow the saving work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?"
To find out let us now explore the,
THE FORESHADOWING OF THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
To address the above questions we will,
1. Discover that Jesus Christ is now our High Priest.
2. Find that Jesus Christ, once and for all, made atonement for us. He did this not in the earthly tabernacle, that is one built by man upon this earth, but in the true tabernacle, that is the one in Heaven itself. He did this so you and I can receive eternal life with Him.
With the above in mind we begin by discovering that,
JESUS CHRIST IS OUR HIGH PRIEST
To see this we first go to the letter to the Hebrews and review some of the key points with respect to the Old Testament High Priest,
Hebrews 5:1-4
"[1] Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. [2] He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. [3] This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. [4] No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was."
Let us notice the following verses,
1 … The High Priest is the mediator between God and man. He is the people's representative before God the Father.
2 … Since the High Priest in the Old Testament was a mortal, in other words he was a mere man. Thus, he was able to sympathize and have compassion for the people of Israel
3 … However, because the High Priest was also subject to the same weaknesses as we are, he also had to offer sacrifices for his and his family's sins.
4 … God selected who will be His High Priest. In the case of the Levitical priesthood God chose Aaron and his male descendants to be His priests.
With this in mind, let us now see how the Old Testament priesthood, was a foreshadowing to teach us about the priesthood of Jesus Christ. To do this let us read from,
Hebrews 5:5-6
"[5] So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father." [6] And he says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
What is the Holy Spirit teaching us when He said that Jesus was called by God the Father as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek? -And-
What is the relationship or difference between the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek and the High Priest according to the order of Levi, Aaron and Aaron's descendants?
First of all He is teaching us that as He chose Aaron to be High Priest, God the Father has now chosen Jesus to be our High Priest.
Secondly, The Holy Spirit is teaching us that,
Jesus is forever and ever our one and only High Priest
To see this let us read from,
Hebrews 7:1-3
"[1] This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, [2] and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." [3] Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever."
It is noted that the circumstances for which the above meeting between Abraham and Melchizedek took place is recorded for us in Genesis 14:1-20.
The third teaching the Holy Spirit is providing us is that,
Jesus’ priesthood is far superior to Aaron’s
With the meeting between Abraham and Melchizedek in mind let us find out why the priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the priesthood of Levi, who were Aaron and his descendants. This explanation is recorded in,
Hebrews 7:4-10
"[4] Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! [5] Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people--that is, their brothers--even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. [6] This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. [7] And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater. [8] In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. [9] One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, [10] because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
In other words, the Bible is teaching us that since Abraham paid homage to Melchizedek, Melchizedek was and is superior to Abraham. Since at the time Abraham paid homage to Melchizedek Levi and Aaron were in his loins they did too paid homage, thereby making Melchizedek superior to them and their priesthood.
So what is the point of the above discussion? What is the Holy Spirit teaching us? To find out let us read from,
Hebrews 7:11-19
"[11] If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come--one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? [12] For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. [13] He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. [14] For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. [15] And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, [16] one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. [17] For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." [18] The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless [19] (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God."
Let us notices the following verses,
11 … If the ceremonial law which was administered by the priesthood of Aaron and his sons could perfect the people there would be no reason for God to raise up a priest outside of the ceremonial law and in accordance with the order of Melchizedek.
12 … Since there is now a change of Old Testament priesthood there is now a change of law.
13-17 … Jesus did not come from the tribe of Levi (which, according to the ceremonial law in order to become a priest it was necessary to be a descendant of Levi and Aaron). Instead Jesus was appointed by God the Father, outside of the regulation of ancestry, to be priest forever.
18-19 … God the Father nullified the ceremonial law in order to grant you and I a better hope in which we can draw closer to Him through Jesus Christ our High Priest.
Now some may be saying to themselves how all this does relate to our study about the Day of Atonement? To find out let us further explore the New Testament to see that,
THE DAY OF ATONEMENT TEACHES US THAT JESUS’ DEATH MADE ATONEMENT FOR YOU AND ME ONCE AND FOR ALL
To see this let us first recall how the Old Testament Temple or Tabernacle was arranged. A beautiful summary of this is provided to us in,
Hebrews 9:1-5
"[1] Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. [2] A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. [3] Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, [4] which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. [5] Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now."
Let us now bring to mind what the High Priest did on the Day of Atonement. This is summarized for us in,
Hebrews 9:6-7
"[6] When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. [7] But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance."
Notice that this offering was for sins committed in ignorance. These are sins the people were not even aware they had committed. For the case of when a person knew and was aware they had committed a sin, that person was not to wait for the Day of Atonement but was to immediately or as soon as possible offer a sin offering (see Chapter 12). As a side note, there is also an analogy here for us. When we know we have committed a sin we are to confess it and seek forgiveness. When we do, God promises He will forgive us (see 1 John 1:8-9). For sins that we are not aware of, as we will see, Jesus has already made atonement for them (see 1 John 2:1-2).
With all the above in mind we now come to see how,
The Day of Atonement teaches us about the atonement Jesus Christ made for you and me
To do this let us return to the book of Hebrews and read from,
Hebrews 9:8-15
"[8] The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.
While the physical or man built Temple remained upon the earth, the way to the true Temple in Heaven was not yet revealed. This physical Temple was symbolic or foreshadowing of what was to come. To see this let us continue our reading the following verses from Chapter 9 of the book of Hebrews
[9] This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. [10] They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings--external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
The Old Testament ceremonial law was only external in nature, that is all the offerings and sacrifices could not cleanse the conscience of the people, in other words their hearts were not changed and could not be perfected.
Therefore,
[11] When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation.
Consequently, atonement was no longer required for the Tabernacle. In addition,
[12] He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. [13] The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.
Jesus Christ entered into Heaven’s Most Holy Place with His own blood. Because Jesus Christ is the Son of God His blood, representing His life, is as good, worthy and pure as God the Father Himself. Consequently, as stated in verse 12, we can now receive eternal redemption or eternal life. Why? Because just as the scapegoat served to show the people of Israel at that time that their sins were no longer before God; our sins, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, have truly been taken away and forgotten.
In addition, our consciences have also been cleansed. To see that our conscience has also been cleansed let us read the following verse,
[14] How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
In other words, unlike the Old Testament sacrifices which could not change the hearts and attitudes of the people, the born again believer has been cleansed, filled with the Holy Spirit and now has God's Laws in their hearts and minds..
[15] For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."
To help us better understand what we have just read, let us now turn to the teaching the Holy Spirit gives about how the ceremonial law was only a foreshadowing to help us understand the wonderful work of salvation that our Lord Jesus Christ performed for you and I. It is given to us in,
Hebrews 10:1-17
"[1] The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. [2] If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. [3] But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, [4] because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. [5] Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; [6] with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. [7] Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God.'" [8] First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). [9] Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. [10] And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [11] Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. [12] But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. [13] Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, [14] because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. [15] The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: [16] "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." [17] Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.""
THE MESSAGE
So what is the point? What is the message of this study? To find out let us begin by reading from,
Hebrews 9:24-28
"[24] For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. [25] Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. [26] Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. [27] Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, [28] so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."
Let us close this study with the following thoughts.
CLOSING
There is no longer a need for us or someone else, on our behalf, to offer sacrifices for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus Christ did it for us once and for all. So now, in Jesus Christ, each member of His church, who are the body of Christ, can confidently approach the true Throne of God in Heaven and receive His Mercy and Grace in our times of need. To see this let us prayerfully read the following,
Hebrews 4:14-16
"[14] Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. [16] Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
AMEN and AMEN