Sometimes as we study the book of Leviticus, we lose sight of the broader theme of the book. Remember that God instructed the Israelis to build for Him a house that He might dwell in their midst (Exodus 25:8). When that house (the tabernacle) was completed, He filled it with His glory (Exodus 40:34-35). Throughout the book of Leviticus and through Numbers 9, God spoke through Moses to exhort Israel to approach Him (karav) and specified how they could do this. In everyday language, He said, “Y’all come to see me”. In the early chapters of the book of Leviticus, Moses outlined the five basic steps to approach God. These have been outlined previously in this series of studies. Following this was the discussion of the issue of pure (clean) or defiled (unclean). I prefer the expression of pure and defiled because the issue is the avoidance of defiling the tabernacle by bringing anything associated with death into God’s presence. God is the living God and will not permit His Name to be associated with death.
This week includes the subject of Yom Kippur as recorded in Leviticus 16 and 17.
Yom Kippur occurs on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the tenth day of the first month, the Passover Lamb was separated from the flock. It would be slaughtered on the 14th day for the Passover sacrifice. Now exactly seven months later, two goats were taken from the herd and presented to the priest.
“And he shall take from the congregation of the sons of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering.” (Leviticus 16:5)
After making a sin offering for himself, Aaron, the high priest, presented the two goats before the Lord.
“And he shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the doorway of the tent of meeting. And Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat.” (Leviticus 16:7-8)
The goat for the sin offering was slaughtered, and the blood was sprinkled on the place of covering (the mercy seat) and in front of the mercy seat.
“Then he shall slaughter the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, and bring its blood inside the veil, and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat.” (Leviticus 16:15)
Next, he would deal with the scapegoat (goat of removal).
“Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands of the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel, and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins, and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands in readiness. And the goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to a solitary land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.” (Leviticus 16:21-22)
There are two different types of offering being made. The blood of the goat that was the sin offering provided a covering for the tent of meeting (because it sat in the midst of the impurities of the sons of Israel), as well as providing a covering for the sins of the people. This was for transgressions that had been committed during the year since the previous “day of atonement.” On the other hand, their iniquities were confessed over the head of the goat of removal. This refers to the tendency of the sons of Israel to sin. Therefore, they confessed that their sins committed during the past year were covered and that their tendency to sin was being removed from them for the year to come. This was an awesome faith statement. If we are living a crucified life and walking in the Spirit, we can believe that not only are our sins being covered but God is removing our tendency toward sin. Some would call this sanctification.
We readily understand that the sins of the people needed to be covered for them to continue to live in relationship with God. But why did the tent of meeting require a covering? Because the tent stood in the midst of the people of Israel, it was considered somewhat defiled and hence needed a covering. As believers we should recognize that the tent of meeting is a type for the church. The invisible church also rests in the midst of God’s people and therefore requires a covering.
One final thought on this subject. The mechanism of atonement is stated in Leviticus 17:11.
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” (Leviticus 17:11)
The currency in the Kingdom of God is life expended. Paul declared that the wages of sin is death. The only covering for our sins is Jesus’ life poured out on the cross. In this manner the Bible declares that all have been justified to life. (Romans 5:18)
As we continue in our study of Leviticus (chapters 18-20), various sins are discussed which deal, for the most part, with sensuality. These are sins which are odious to the Lord and, therefore, sins from which God’s people must avoid if they hope to be accepted in the presence of the Lord. We will begin with incest. God declared,
“None of you shall approach any blood relative of his to uncover nakedness, I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 18:6)
The implication of this command is to prohibit sexual intercourse with any person who is a nearer relative than a cousin. In addition, homosexuality must be avoided.
“You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22)
This commandment is very important for us today. The practice of homosexuality is being accepted (perhaps we could say promoted) in the U.S. today. People may demand the “right” to practice homosexuality and to be accepted by our society, but the practice is an abomination to the Lord. No one practicing homosexuality will be accepted in the presence of the Lord. We must distinguish between the tendency to sin in this manner (temptation) and the actual indulgence in an overt act. We are not condemned because of temptation, but we will be condemned for what we actually do. Likewise, having sex with an animal is prohibited.
“Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion.” (Leviticus 18:23)
Furthermore, God declared:
“For whoever does any of these abominations, those persons who do so shall be cut off from among their people. Thus you are to keep My charge, that you do not practiced any of the abominable customs which have been practiced before you, so as not to defile yourselves with them; I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 18:29-30)
Also included in this section is the commandment prohibiting the sacrifice of children.
“You shall not give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 18:21)
The idea of sacrificing children to Molech to appease this false god thus bringing a benefit to the community is very similar to the practice of abortion. The benefits imagined in the latter case is experienced by the individual instead of the whole community but the idea is the same. It is an abomination to the Lord.Now these practices are commonplace in the United States today. Many of these practices have been upheld by the Supreme Court of the land. It is my conclusion that, as a result, America can no longer look to God for a blessing. How could He bless a society that practices abominations and thus are prohibited from approaching Him? Recently I heard the song “God Bless America”. It was a heart-warming performance. How I wish it were applicable today.
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