Bible Pathway - Feb. 7, 2011
Read Leviticus 16
Highlights:
Three spiritual truths stand out — Atonement, Sacrifice, and Holiness — learn how Jesus fulfills them all. PTL! Warnings against various defilements and the need to know (listed in chapters 18-19).
The Day of Atonement was the most important day in the Hebrew calendar. 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. It shall be a Sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever (Lev. 16: 30-32).
In addition, on this day, two goats were brought for the corporate sin offering. The high priest received them at the Tabernacle Door, where he cast lots to select one to be sacrificed and the other to be released into the desert. The first was sacrificed as a sin offering (16:9) and the second was the scapegoat (16:26). The peoples' sins for the past year were transferred to this scapegoat by the high priest laying hands on the goat. It was then led into the wilderness beyond the camp. It then departed from human view, symbolically carrying the sins of the congregation away.
The sacrificed goat represents the sufficiency of a blood sacrifice, for it is the blood that maketh an atonement (17:11). Without shedding of blood is no remission (of sin) (Heb. 9:22). The scapegoat represents the fact that all our sins are forgiven and forever removed. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us (Ps. 103: 11-12). In the New Testament the blood of Jesus Christ . . . cleanseth us from all sin (I John 1:7).
Not realizing this fact, many Christians continue to pray for God to forgive them many times and continue to carry the unbearable guilt of past sins. He does not want us to carry the guilt of confessed sins. In fact, it infers we don't really believe He has forgiven us.
The two goats represent the two-fold purpose of our Lord's death on the cross. Our sins are forgiven and forever removed from the sight of God. Our peace and fellowship with God are restored by the blood of Christ. Believe His Word: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
Thought for Today:
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love (I John 4:18).
Christ Revealed:
Through the two goats used on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:8). The slaying of the first goat typifies that our peace with God was restored by the blood of Christ (Rev. 5:9). The second goat represents the precious mercy of God in forever removing from His sight the sins of His people. Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more (Heb. 10:17).
Word Studies:
16:29 afflict your souls humble yourselves, practice self-denial; 17:4 cut off excommunicated from family and the nation; 17:14 the blood of it is for the life thereof its blood sustains its physical life; 18:6 uncover their nakedness have sexual intercourse.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Radio Broadcasts sponsored by James P. Devery • Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Reverend Michael Hall • Staff: Linda Kennon • Government Officials: Gov. John Hickenlooper (CO), Rep. Richard (Doc) Hastings (WA) and Sen. Herbert Kohl (WI) • Country: Swaziland (985,000) in southern Africa • Major languages: English and siSwati • Religious freedom • 67% Protestant; 19% animism, spirit-possession cults, and divination; 11% Roman Catholic; 3% Baha'i • Prayer Suggestion: Watch and pray that you may be worthy to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 21:36).
Optional Reading: Mark 10
Memory Verse for the Week: Exodus 20:1-3
