“Now the Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they had approached the presence of the Lord and died.” Leviticus 16:1
As we continue our Journey through the Book of Leviticus, today we come to the Most Sacred Day in the Jewish Calendar; The Day of Atonement. In previous Chapters, we read about Leprosy, on body, clothing, and home, and aspects of physical uncleanness. In these we see the seriousness God provided regarding Disease and Impurity, and the importance of dealing with them properly. In Today’s Verse, we’re also introduced to the Day with a Reminder of what can happen when God is not treated Holy. So, it is within this Context we see God outlining for them, as the People of God, this Holy Relationship. THIS…is at the heart of the Day of Atonement. Consider the following:
It involved One Man! Only the High Priest was involved. Only he could perform the Ceremony, and once done, only he could come into the Holy of Holies. It was a Special Day! On the “Tenth Day of the Seventh Month” was not a weekly Sabbath Day; it was in the middle of the week! But regardless, they were to proclaim this “a Sabbath of solemn rest” for this Event. It was done One Way! Specific Instructions regarding the Animals (even one set free), and how the blood was to be sprinkled, even on the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies. Lastly, it had a Wonderful Outcome! We read near the end of the Chapter, “on this day that atonement shall be made…; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord”.
The Old Testament has so much to teach us about God that it’s hard to understand the Gospel without it. Here we have an example; One Man, on One Day, by One Law, and with One result. That’s it! Do it another way and end up like Nadab and Abihu!!! And this Holy God has not changed. He is just as HOLY. But that is where the Gospel comes in! Jesus is that One Man, and on that One Day, according to that One Law, entered the Holy place with His own blood, and satisfied God to take away “All Our Sins”…FOREVER! What a Glorious Gospel!!!