Highlight chapter of the book. The day was celebrated on the 10th day of the 7th month, roughly October from sunset to sunset.
Atonement; kophar, meaning, "to cover." See Genesis 5:15 when Noah was told to, "cover (kophar) it inside and out with pitch."
Also, Jacob in Genesis 443:20 describing his intent to pacify or appease his brother's wrath. "I will appease him." Cover his wrath
Used in reference of forgiveness, mercy, pardon, reconciliation. This is important later with the mercy seat
It's the day in which God allowed the sins of Israel to be covered and His righteous wrath appeased
Was also a reminder to man of his own sinfulness and the desperate need to have his sins covered as he approaches Holy God
*Note: "Before the Lord" appears 60 times in this book
Verse 1 - Keil and Delitzsch write: The chronological link connecting the following law with the death of the sons of Aaron was intended, not only to point out the historical event which led to the appointment of the day of atonement, but also to show the importance and holiness attached to an entrance into the sanctuary of God.
Nadab and Abihu died for failing to approach God in the prescribed manner. The priest who seeks to approach God must do so on His terms. This chapter gives us those terms
Verse 2 - "Mercy seat" the lid or covering of the ark (Covering = atonement!) Exodus 25:22
Similar to approaching a king or dignitary. There's a certain, special way
Verses 3-5 Five animals selected: bull, two rams, two male goats
Bull and a ram for a sin offering (sins of ignorance and ceremonial defilement) and burnt offering (worship) for atonement for Aaron and his family. Other animals were for Israel
Verse 4 - Aaron washing and wore special attire. Humble clothing, plain and white. Purity! Whether clothing, washing or sacrifice, the way one approaches God is being stressed here. Also notice it's linen; why? (John 20) Atoning for sins was a sanctified process demanding purity and complete holiness. (Jesus!)
Notice water. Used in all 3 dispensations as a means of purification. Noah in Genesis 7, here and today according to 1 Peter 3:21
Verse 6 - After bathing, putting on holy clothes and selecting animals, the priest then offers the bull for a sin offering to atone for both his sins, "and for his house." Does it remind us of Matthew 7:5? Casting out the plank in our own eye before worrying about someone else's speck.
Verses 7-10 After taking care of his own sins, the priest has the responsibility of presenting two goats. One is offered on behalf of the people, the other is the scapegoat. Azazel: the one carrying away evil.
Robert Jamieson in Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary: The priest placed one of the goats on his right hand, and the other on his left. Two pieces of gold exactly alike, inscribed 'for Jehovah' and 'for Azazel' were then placed in a bag or covered box; and the priest placed both hands inside and took out both pieces in each hand. That in his left hand he placed on the head of the goat on that side, and that in his right hand on the other goat's head. That determined the fate of each." (Skip to verse 21)
Isaiah 53:12 "And He was numbered with the transgressors and He bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Isaiah 53:6 "The Lord has laid on him the iniquities of us all."
Hebrews 9:23-28 and Hebrews 10:10
The guilt on Azael was not its own and was sent outside the camp. (Hebrews 13:10-12)
Verses 11-24 Give us the atonement ceremony
11-13 Moses reveals the order of the ceremony and gives further instruction. Before bringing sacrificial blood into the Holy of Holies, Aaron had to burn incense. To hide from the face of God? Or as a symbol of prayer?
Regardless, it would protect Aaron from God's wrath
Verses 14-19 Sprinkling blood on the mercy seat. 7 times, complete and perfect. Also done (v15) with goat's blood from sin offering
We'll see in chapter 17 blood is an important symbol of purification (17:11) Here, the covering of sins by the blood of goat 1, the 2nd goat carried away those sins Hebrews 9:22
Wilderness: A land cut off, completely isolated from the surrounding country by some barrier or rock which would make it impossible for the goat to come back again. Thus the sins were utterly lost, as though they had never been, and they could not return to the sanctified people.
No comments:
Post a Comment