If you’ve been following along in our study, perhaps you’ve tried to picture what life would’ve been like for the Israelites under all of the laws that are outlined in Leviticus.
Can you imagine? There are 2 million people living in the presence of their covenant King who comes to rest over the ark in the tabernacle in the form of a cloud. 2 million people are to bring their offerings before the King to the 1 altar in front of the tabernacle any time they’ve realized they’ve sinned and are in need of forgiveness. 2 million people spilling the blood of animals in order to atone for their sins so that they may continue to live in community with their Creator.
It’s hard to wrap your mind around isn’t it? That’s a lot of animals! That’s a lot of blood!
And yet all the sacrifices made, all the blood spilled, all the rituals followed were never sufficient to fully atone for all of Israel’s sins. They had to keep making offerings over and over again, day after day, year after year and still their sins were never fully atoned for.
But God, in his gracious provision, set aside one day out of the year in which the slate would be wiped clean. All of the unintentional and rebellious sins that were not sufficiently covered by the daily sacrifices would be atoned for on this special day. This day was called “The Day of Atonement.” Chapter 16 outlines the rituals that took place on the day of atonement.
Ritual Procedures for the Day of Atonement – Partially Cleansed from Their Sins
You will find the following table in your Inductive Bible Study Workbook (page 29) . The table outlines the step-by-step procedures for the Day of Atonement and the purposes for each one. After the table we’ll look at each of these procedures and talk about how each part of the process points us to Jesus who perfectly atoned for our sins, once for all, through his own blood on the cross.
NOTE – The Mercy Seat is the cover on the Ark of the Covenant. It is overshadowed by the cherubim wings. The Bible tells us that the presence of God rested over the mercy seat.
Charles Spurgeon notes about the scapegoat: “This was the second part of atonement showing, not sacrifice, but the effect of sacrifice, and explaining what becomes of sin after the sacrifice has been accepted, and the blood has been presented within the veil.”
The Final Day of Atonement – Permanently Cleansed from Our Sins
The Day of Atonement had to be repeated year after year. One day of atonement was not sufficient to remove all of Israel’s sins.
But for us who are in Christ, we look back and remember that one final day of atonement. We call it Good Friday. It is good because on that day, our sins were atoned for completely and finally. Not through the insufficient blood of lambs and goats, but through Christ’s own blood as he gave himself up as perfect offering for us.
Hebrews 9 says,
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself (vs. 24-26).
Christ is the offering.
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God- Ephesians 5:2
…and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin – 1 John 1:7b
Christ is the Great High Priest.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. – Hebrews 9:11-12
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:14-16
Christ is the scapegoat.
So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. – Hebrews 13:12
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! – John 1:29
Application – How should we respond?
Because of the atoning blood of Christ, we no longer need to make sacrifices in order to dwell near the presence of God and receive his blessing. Not only are we eternally cleansed of our sin, but Christ has sent his Spirit to dwell in us guiding us, sanctifying us, and sealing us as His.
In that sense, we have become the tabernacle.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. -1 John 4:13
Imagine how the Israelites would have felt if they had known that one day, this God who dwells within the tabernacle, whom they can’t even approach without the shedding of blood, would one day dwell in his people! What incredible grace!
Let us look back at that final day of atonement, Good Friday, and praise God that it is finished!
Let us remember in the present that we have become God’s earthly dwelling place and live in a way that honors him.
And let us look forward to the day when the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, will come back again and bring us into the presence of God where we will finally see him face to face.
If you’ve completed chapters 11-16, your homework for the next section is below:
Homework Assignment #5
Read Leviticus chapters 17-20 and complete Observation, Interpretation, and Application for these chapters (workbook pages 34-39)
