Bob Feather March 27th, 2008

English language Bible study series from Trinity International Baptist Church in Athens, Greece

The Annual Day of Atonement

I. How to avoid death on the job (1,2)

II. How to dress for the occasion and what to do after you get there (3-10)

III. Making the place smell good (11-15)

IV. Acquiring God’s approval of the workplace (16-19)

V. Placing the blame on the scapegoat and sending him out (20-22)

VI. Punishing the one who stayed (23-25)

VI. A dirty job, but somebody has to do it (26-28)

VII. A mandatory, annual event (29-34)

Meditation Points:

• Nadab and Abihu died for their defiant entrance into God’s presence; if Aaron and the others would avoid a similar end, they must follow these rules.
• The theme of this chapter is the annual Day of Atonement. The sacrifices of this day were for sins past, and they opened up the door to a new year of sin which must be followed by its own day of atonement. As a picture, or type, of a much greater and spiritual event, the mere repetition of an atonement day is far overshadowed by the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ for the sins past and future!
• The priest must offer sacrifices for himself and for the people.  Jesus had no need of a sacrifice for Himself, as He knew no sin in His character or life.
• Two goats were required: one to picture the dying sacrifice, and the other to picture the living sacrifice. One for crucifixion, and another for resurrection.
• The casting of lots, which Proverbs 16:33 says is always controlled by God, reminds us that only God can say what sacrifice He requires; as He said in Isaiah 28:16 … 

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

• This method of allowing God to show His will is found also in Joshua 7:16-17; Joshua 14:2; and Acts 1:26.

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