TODAY IS YOM KIPPUR – THE DAY OF ATONEMENT!
Beginning at sundown last night, September 17, 2010, and continuing throughout today until sundown, September 18, 2010, is the most sacred day of the Jewish religious calendar – the 10th day of Tishri, the 7th month.
The instruction is found in Leviticus 23:26-32. It comes from the LORD GOD of Israel Himself (verse 26). It is called a “holy convocation” and is treated as a Shabat (Sabbath Day) – Interestingly, it falls on the day of the weekly Sabbath (Saturday). We are told to “afflict our souls” (fasting) – the only day of the year in which the Bible commands a fast for the Jewish people. No manual labor is to be done on this day. To not participate in the fast of this day brings severe consequences (“shall be cut off from among his people”). Verse 30 says “will I destroy from among his people.”
The details of what happened on this Day of Atonement when the Tabernacle was set up in the wilderness and also when the Jewish Temple was on the Temple Mount are found in Leviticus 16. The High Priest (and only the High Priest!) took two goats on that day. On the head of one goat (called the “azazel”) he confessed all the sins of the people and released that goat into the wilderness and no one was to go after it. The other goat was killed and the blood taken on this one day into the HOLY of HOLIES where the Ark of the Covenant was located. The golden lid of the Ark was called “the Mercy Seat” and the High Priest would place the goat’s blood on it. It refers to the act of propitiation (satisfying the wrath of God) and the entire nation was propitiated.
Does this mean that every single Jew was redeemed? NO! During the year, an individual was to bring his own sacrifice for his sin.
The New Testament pictures the two goats has represented the atonement of the Messiah – Hebrews 13:12 speaks of our Lord Yeshua shedding His own blood to sanctify us, and that He “suffered without (outside) the gate.” The goat’s blood that was put on the Mercy Seat is also picturing the death of the Messiah for our sins – Atonement was made and paid for by His precious blood. Faith in the Messiah’s work of redemption will bring salvation to any person’s heart who believes what Yeshua has done for us. May the Lord of glory open your heart today to the truth of the Messiah’s atonement for our sin!
