The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, was one of the seven feasts of the Lord prescribed in the Book of Leviticus. It was to be a day of solemn reverence. No travelers rushed in and out of Jerusalem; marketplaces were closed; craftsmen and tradesmen shuttered their shops; the whole nation was quiet and still. “The Great Fast,” or “The Day of all Days” had arrived. Observant Jews around the world still observe Yom Kippur as a day to worship the Holy One and to confess their sins.
The first five books of the Bible form the foundation for the rest of scripture. In the heart of these five books of Moses is Leviticus. It describes the priesthood, sacrifices, and forms of worship which were to be carried on in the tabernacle, located in the center of the wilderness camp of Israel. In the center of the book of Leviticus is the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1-34; 23:26-32).
This was the great day when the High Priest declared to the people that their sins were forgiven. God is a forgiving God. Mitch Glaser wrote, “He creates a shelter of sacrifice to protect worshippers from his wrath.”
Past importance
The tenth day of the seventh month was for the people a time of intense self-examination, confession, and repentance. In preparation for the Day, the High Priest was to review the scriptural commands, offer sacrifices to cover his own sins, bathe his entire body and change from his priestly robes into white linen.
On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest sacrificed a young bull and a ram, and selected two goats, one to be sacrificed, and one to be the “scapegoat.” He would enter the Holy of Holies three times, once with incense, once to sprinkle the blood of the bull seven times on the golden cover of the ark of the covenant, and once with the blood of the goat. The blood of the sacrifices covered the sins of the High Priest and of the people.
The scapegoat was not sacrificed. Instead the priest laid his hands on the head of the goat and confessed the sins of the people. He read the law (Torah) to the people, washed himself and changed into his priestly garments. The High Priest then declared to the people, “You shall be clean,” indicating that their sins were forgiven. The scapegoat was released alive into the wilderness, symbolizing the fact that the sins and guilt of the people were removed. (The Hebrew word translated scapegoat means “removed.”)
Present significance
The Book of Hebrews gives us the deeper significance of the Day of Atonement. It pictures Christ. He is superior to the Old Testament priesthood (Hebrews 7:26-28). The High Priest In Leviticus had to confess his sins. Jesus Christ was sinless. He was the perfect Son of God.
The priests in the Old Testament were mortal and they received their appointments through heredity as descendants of Aaron. Jesus is immortal and he was appointed to his eternal priesthood by God the Father (Hebrews 5::4-5). He ascended to God’s right hand where he continually intercedes for his people (Hebrews 8:1). The earthly priests served in the tabernacle and temple. Jesus serves in heaven, “the true tabernacle” (Hebrews 8:2).
The New Covenant is vastly superior to the Old Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31,33). Jesus is the High Priest of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6, 12-13). The Old Testament sacrifices had to be repeated. They offered only a temporary covering for sins. They pointed forward to the ultimate and perfect sacrifice, Jesus’ death on the cross (Hebrews 7:27).
When the scapegoat was released into the wilderness, symbolically bearing the sins of Israel, it pictured how Christ’s sacrifice completely removes our sins. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12).
Future application
The Day of Atonement pictures a time in the future when ethnic Israel will be cleansed finally and completely. The prophets describe a future time when Israel will repent and offer a great prayer of confession. Jesus Christ will return. Israel’s eyes will be opened to recognize him as their Savior and Messiah (Zechariah 12:10, 13:1).
“In those days, at that time, declares the Lord, search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none. And for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare” (Jeremiah 50:20).
Pastor Randy Faulkner