The Day of Atonement: God's Provision for Sin
The annual observance of the Day of Atonement, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur, stands as one of the most solemn and significant holy days in the Old Testament calendar. Instituted by God Himself through Moses, it was a profound illustration of the gravity of sin, the necessity of blood atonement, and God's gracious provision for His people to be cleansed and reconciled to Him. Far from being a mere ritual, Yom Kippur was a divinely orchestrated drama that pointed forward to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice that would one day be offered for the sins of all humanity: the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Divine Command and Institution
The primary revelation concerning the Day of Atonement is found in the book of Leviticus chapter 16, with further details in Leviticus chapter 23. God commanded this day to be kept on the tenth day of the seventh month, a day of strict rest, fasting, and affliction of the soul. Its purpose was clear: to make atonement for the sins of the children of Israel, for the tabernacle, and for the priesthood itself. It was an annual purification, acknowledging that despite daily sacrifices, a comprehensive cleansing was needed for the entire nation and the sacred space where God's presence dwelt.
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Leviticus 23:26-27
The Solemn Rituals of the Day
The intricate rituals performed on the Day of Atonement were carried out exclusively by the High Priest, and only he was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies) on this singular day of the year. The meticulous instructions highlighted the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching His presence.
Preparation of the High Priest: Before undertaking the sacred duties, the High Priest, typically Aaron or his successor, had to first cleanse himself. He would wash his flesh in water and put on special holy linen garments—a linen coat, linen breeches, a linen girdle, and a linen mitre. These were simple, pure white garments, signifying humility and purity, rather than the elaborate golden garments worn on other days.
Sacrifice for Himself and His House: The High Priest was a man subject to sin, just like the people. Therefore, his first act was to offer a young bullock as a sin offering for himself and for his house (Leviticus 16:6). This sacrifice cleansed him, making him ritually pure to mediate for the nation.
The Two Goats for the Congregation: For the children of Israel, two goats were brought before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. Lots were cast upon the two goats: one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat (Azazel).
The Goat for the Lord: The goat upon which the Lord's lot fell was slain as a sin offering for the people. Its blood was then taken by the High Priest, along with the blood of his own bullock, into the Holy of Holies. He would sprinkle the blood with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward, and seven times before the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:14). This act made atonement for the sanctuary and the people from their uncleannesses and transgressions.
The Scapegoat (Azazel): The goat upon which the lot for the scapegoat fell was presented alive before the Lord. After performing the atonement for the sanctuary, the High Priest would lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, confessing over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat (Leviticus 16:21). The goat was then sent away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness, into a land not inhabited. This symbolically carried away all their iniquities into a land of separation, signifying the removal of sin from the presence of God and His people.
Burning of Offerings: The fat of the sin offering bullock and the Lord's goat were burnt upon the altar. The carcasses of these animals, however, along with their skins and dung, were carried forth outside the camp and burned with fire (Leviticus 16:27). This act further emphasized the defiling nature of sin and the complete removal of its remnants.
Affliction of Souls: Beyond the priestly rituals, the entire congregation was commanded to afflict their souls and do no manner of work on this day. This typically involved fasting and deep spiritual reflection, acknowledging their sinfulness and relying on God's provision for atonement (Leviticus 23:29).
The Purpose of Atonement
The overarching purpose of the Day of Atonement was to provide a yearly cleansing for the entire nation of Israel. It was a day to address both known and unknown sins, intentional and unintentional transgressions. The shedding of blood was paramount, as Hebrews 9:22 declares, "and without shedding of blood is no remission." This annual cleansing ensured that God's holy presence could continue to dwell among His people, despite their inherent sinfulness. It served as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, His justice in demanding payment for sin, and His abundant mercy in providing a way for reconciliation.
For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
Leviticus 16:30
Yom Kippur's Prophetic Fulfilment in Christ
While the Day of Atonement was a vital part of the Mosaic Covenant, its true and ultimate significance is revealed in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Hebrews. The elaborate rituals of Yom Kippur were but "a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things" (Hebrews 10:1; see also Colossians 2:17). Jesus Christ is the perfect, once-for-all fulfillment of everything the Day of Atonement foreshadowed.
Our Perfect High Priest: The Old Testament high priests were mortal, sinful men who had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer for the people. But Jesus is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself" (Hebrews 7:26-27). He is our great High Priest, passed into the heavens (Hebrews 4:14).
The Perfect Sacrifice: The blood of bulls and goats could only cover sins temporarily, year after year. It could not truly take away sin (Hebrews 10:4). But Christ, "by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12). He is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). His sacrifice on the cross was sufficient, complete, and eternal.
Entering the True Holy of Holies: The earthly tabernacle and its Holy of Holies were copies of heavenly things. Christ did not enter into the holy places made with hands, "but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24). He opened a new and living way for us to approach God's throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16).
The Ultimate Scapegoat: The scapegoat symbolically carried away the sins of the people into the wilderness. Christ literally bore our sins in His own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24). Isaiah prophesied, "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). God "made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Eternal Redemption, Not Yearly Cleansing: The annual repetition of Yom Kippur signified its temporary nature. Christ's single offering perfected for ever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14). His work is a finished work, offering eternal redemption and complete remission of sins for all who believe (Romans 3:25).
Conclusion: Rest in Christ's Atonement
The Day of Atonement, with its solemn rituals and profound symbolism, served as a powerful annual reminder of the cost of sin and the grace of God in providing a way for reconciliation. It taught Israel about holiness, sacrifice, and the necessity of blood for remission. However, for believers today, Yom Kippur points us to the glorious reality of Christ's finished work. We no longer need yearly rituals, for our High Priest has offered Himself once for all. We are not called to afflict our souls in fear of unatoned sin, but to rest in the perfect, eternal atonement secured by the precious blood of Jesus. Through Him, we have peace with God, full forgiveness, and access to the very presence of the Most High. The shadow has given way to the substance, and the promise has found its glorious fulfillment in our Lord and Saviour.
TRV
