The Day of Atonement was a day in Hebrew history when the high priest would offer sacrifice for
the sins of the nation. It was to be set aside on the 10th day of the 7th month. That would be
in our September or October.
Leviticusiticus 16:2-11
tells in part of that day. "The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons
of Aaron who died when they approached the Lord. 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. 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. 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.
From the Israelite community he is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a
burnt offering. “Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for
himself and his household. Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord
at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats; one lot for the
Lord and the other for the scapegoat. Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and
sacrifice it for a sin offering, 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. 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.”
What a unique sanctuary the tabernacle was. It has been estimated that the material alone would
have cost $10 million.
But more than that, it was a truly “Holy Structure”
Only one tribe, the tribe of “Leviticusi” could serve as priestly position. Of that one tribe only one
man could serve as high priest and enter into the presence of God in the Holy Of Holies, the
high priest.
Leviticus 16:2
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.”
We read in Leviticusiticus 10:1
“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense;
and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command.”
Only Aaron could enter only one day each year, and that only was only under the most carefully
prescribed requirements.
Today, we must observe how blessed we are to come before God in prayer.
Here were the directions for coming into the Holy Of Holies.
It must be one day a year, the Day of Atonement in September or October.
• Aaron the high priest must first wash down with water before he dresses.
• He must then bring 3 goats.
• He must offer blood for his own sins from one of them.
Leviticus 16:6
“Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself
and his household.
Although he was high priest, he was God’s choice to enter the most holy place. He was a man of
Adam’s race, with sin of his own. He would enter the most Holy Place sprinkling *Blood for his
own sins.”
He must then take two other goats, and cast lots, possible with a pebble or a stick:
• 1 of those goats would be sacrificed, it’s blood sprinkled for the sins of the people.
• the 3rd goat
Leviticus 16:21
“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.”
Leviticus 16:22
“the goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary
place; and the man shall release it in the desert.”
The goat is led into the wilderness, making sure that this animal laden with the sins will not
return to the camp and defile it.
This action symbolically removed the people's sins.
Later the goat is led out of the city and cast over a cliff, plunging to its death.
Even yet today, God wants his people clean and far from sin.
As the goat would typify sins being removed away from the people, so even today, God wants sin
to be far removed from us in every way.
After this Aaron must remove his linen clothes, wash himself, and put on his regular clothes.
Also, the one releasing the goat must wash his clothes and himself before returning to camp.
Some truths:
Sin has always been and always will be a malignant and terminal blotch within us.
That first sin resulted in Adam and Eve being driven from paradise.
It has resulted in disease, diversion and death.
It has driven wedges between spouses, parents and children, churches, and nations.
It has separated mankind from his creator and brought deadly wickedness into our world.
We must ask ourselves this question, "What can solve this horrific malady?"
What can wash it away and cleanse it from all stain?
Is there an answer?
What is the solution?
What can make me free and remove my guilt and blame?
Not a $10 million dollar tent.
Not a high priest with the blood of 10,000 goats and bulls.
Not church membership or being a good churchman.
The remedy is:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
A. God has always required blood as the agent of sacrifice
B. The blood of goats and bulls led the way under the law of the old testament but could
never truly take away sin. It was only symbolic.
C. Jesus Christ completely fulfilled the law of the Old Testament.
1. He became the perfect high priest who needed no sacrifice for his sins. He had no sin.
2. He became the lamb, the perfect sacrifice for all sins; yours and mine.
3. He also has become the scapegoat bearing away our sins.
A scapegoat is one selected to bear the blame for a problem.
Sort of, “The Fall Guy”
Remember, In 1981 a popular TV program was, “The Fall Guy”?
Lee Majors played Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stunt man who moonlighted as a bounty hunter.
He uses his physical skills and knowledge of stunt effects (especially stunts involving cars
or his large GMC pick-up truck) to capture fugitives and criminals.
He was known as “The Fall Guy”
As we are now in the Lenten season and rapidly approaching the Passion Week and sufferings of
Jesus Christ, I realize again that He is the Fall Guy.
In other words, He has taken the blame, the blame of all of us. He took it all in judgment as He
was refused, abused, misused, and eventually crucified.
Yes, he is the one who took our blame, and our consequences.
And as for our sins that were always so close upon us, we read:
Psalm 103:12
“as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions
from us.”
Also in Isaiah 38:17 we read;
“surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept
me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.”
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ you know how wonderful it is to be distant from your sins
and guilt.
But if you have not received Christ and experienced this grand peace, you can do so just now.
Just pray this prayer, “Lord Jesus I know I am a sinner and that sin brings judgment and death.
I believe you came to suffer and die in my place and for my sins. I confess my sins and ask you
into my heart forgive me and give me the gift of eternal life. Please come into my heart.
In Jesus name I ask.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us:
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become
the righteousness of God.”
May God bless you as you live for him today and in the days to come.
