A PRELUDE TO YOM KIPPUR

"Then Aharon is to cast lots for the two goats, one lot for Adonai and the other for ‘Az’azel.”
Leviticus 16:8

Today we touch on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This holiday has for a long time standing been considered the most holy day in the Jewish biblical calendar. It is on this day in history that once a year, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the nation. It is a perfect illustration of regeneration for those who follow Adonai's atonement.
In Leviticus 16 we read concerning the ceremony first performed by the children of Isra’el following their great exodus. The ceremony began with two goats. One goat was named the Chatat and would be slain as a blood sacrifice, a symbol of the covering of sins for the people. The second goat was named the Azazel, or Scapegoat, and would be brought before the priest. The priest would lay his hands on the goat's head as the sins of the people were confessed. Whereas the first was slain, the Scapegoat was released into the wilderness as a representation of the sins being removed from the people.
When Yeshua our Messiah died on the cross, He did so for our sin. Yeshua, who knew no sin, became our sacrifice and Scapegoat. As his body was beat and cut, He became our Chatat with His blood being spilled out for us. Yet He also became our Azazel in that He took our sin away from us. It is only because of His sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins that we have the ability to stand in His presence.
The Greek word KAPPARAH means propitiation. In Greek mythology this word was used in showing appeasement to the gods. But this word also means atonement. On the cross, Yeshua was displayed as our kapparah, our sacrifice, the fulfillment of all that is celebrated at Yom Kippur. The atonement has been made and forgiveness was offered.
As time moved forward and the ability to perform animal sacrifices became a lesser approved option, the rabbis of the first century assisted with substitutions that would still portray the original reasons of Yom Kippur. The holiday now consist of the Tefilah (prayer), Teshuvah (repentance), and Tzedakah (charity). So in this time of Yom Kippur we are challenged to do these things as we reflect on forgiveness of others who have offended us and us them, as well as focusing on the forgiveness offered to us from our sin from Yeshua. In the last ten days between Rosh HaShanan and Yom Kippur, known as the Days of Awe, we are to present forgiveness to those we have offended and confess our sins to Adonai. For today, I urge you to reflect on the truth found in the book of Jonah, that if we confess and turn from our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us as He did the people of Ninevah.

Leviticus 16:1-24
Leviticus 16:25 – 17:7