Leviticus 16-18

February 5

Leviticus 16-18

God is a holy God. People are sinful. In His holiness, God could not dwell among sinful people. Something had to be done for God to continue to dwell in the presence of the Israelites. God prescribed a means of cleansing the Israelites of their sin; a means of cleansing the Israelites and the land so God could continue to live among them.

The high priest was the only man able to go before the mercy seat of God which was located in the Holy of Holies. Even the high priest could not approach empty handed. He came with the blood of a bull to atone for his own sin and the blood of a goat to atone for the sin of the people. The Day of Atonement was a solemn day. It was a day to remember the sin, the rebellion of the people against a holy God. It was a day to remind them of the cost of sin. It was a day to remember God’s grace offered to them as He continued to bless them and dwell within their camp.

Only one person, the high priest could make the sacrifices necessary to atone for the sins of the people. When Jesus came, He came as the ultimate High Priest. On Good Friday, He made the sacrifice necessary to atone for the sins of all people for all time. Unlike the high priest who had to make atonement sacrifices each year, Jesus’ sacrifice ended the need for any more sacrifices. Aaron was a sinner who had to make a sacrifice for himself as well as for the people. Jesus was sinless and only sacrificed himself for sinners. Aaron’s sacrifices secured him entry into the earthly sanctuary. Jesus’ sacrifice secured his entry into the heavenly sanctuary. The repetition of Aaron’s sacrifices was a constant reminder of the persistence of sin. Jesus’ once for all sacrifice secured permanent forgiveness of sin.

The Day of Atonement pointed forward to a day when Jesus would come and fulfill the meaning of the sacrifices made on this day. We are reminded that God is a holy God and not to be taken lightly. God is a God of grace, but He also demands respect and obedience of His people.

" Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10:19-24, NIV)