You know the phrase “near and dear”? God’s people are dear to Him; He wants us near. But how?
Clearly Leviticus 16 is a high-water mark in the Hebrew Scriptures. It describes the only day in the Jewish Year when the high priest could enter God’s sanctuary, the Holy of Holies. It was also the day when all accounts were to be settled between God and the nation, beginning a new year of His living among His people. So let’s briefly outline the chapter. The high priest was to select a bullock for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He was to bathe himself and be dressed in his all-linen outfit (vv 3-4). Two goats were also taken, one of which was determined by lot to be a sacrifice, the other to be a scapegoat (vv 5-10), a topic we shall study in another lesson. Then began the sacrifices. A bullock he would offer for himself and his family (vv 11-14). Following that, he would kill the first goat as a sin offering for the people, sprinkle its blood on the mercy seat, and also use the blood to hallow the altar of burnt offerings (vv 15-19). The scapegoat was then to be brought, and on its head he would lay his hands, confessing the iniquities of the children of Israel. This goat would then be led “into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man” (v 21) and permitted to escape into “an uninhabited land,” never to be seen again (vv 20-22). After this, Aaron was to once again bathe himself, and then make a burnt offering for himself and the people (vv 23-28). Thus ended this momentous day! We just have time for one important application. Notice that Aaron, the high priest, must deal with his own sin first before turning his attention to the sins of others. Perhaps, if we did this, we might be taken more seriously by others when we speak about sin, and also be more gracious when dealing with their failures.