Lesson 10

The next annual Sabbath day is a holy day, but it is not a feast day. Yom Kippur is a day of fasting. By having the Israelites abstain from food and drink, God introduced them to the concept of atonement for sin. The idea that paying the penalty for sin could restore mankind’s relationship with God would be fulfilled, not with the sacrificial goat offering made every year, but with the one time offering of Jesus’ perfect life. The day of Atonement is a solemn day, filled with old covenant symbolism that shines light on the new covenant fulfillment. The High Priest was to make several sacrifices that day. Many were for himself and for the Israelite people. The offering that was to atone for sin was the goat. There were two goats, both without blemish. They were so perfect that only God could decide which one was to be sacrificed by casting lots for them. Jesus represents the goat that was sacrificed to atone for the combined sins of humanity. What thoughts do you have about Jesus atoning for our sins? Why do you think both goats were so perfect only God could tell which one was to bring atonement for sin? Why was the life of Jesus worthy of atoning for all of mankind’s sins?

Leviticus 16:7-9 Christian Standard Bible
7 Next he will take the two goats and place them before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 8 After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other for an uninhabitable place, 9 he is to present the goat chosen by lot for the Lord and sacrifice it as a sin offering.

Hebrews 10:1-18 Contemporary English Version
1 The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn’t the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices that are offered year after year. 2 If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices. 3-4 But the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. It only reminds people of their sins from one year to the next. 5 When Christ came into the world, he said to God, “Sacrifices and offerings are not what you want, but you have given me my body. 6 No, you are not pleased with animal sacrifices and offerings for sin.” 7 Then Christ said, “And so, my God, I have come to do what you want, as the Scriptures say.” 8 The Law teaches that offerings and sacrifices must be made because of sin. But why did Christ mention these things and say that God did not want them? 9 Well, it was to do away with offerings and sacrifices and to replace them. That is what he meant by saying to God, “I have come to do what you want.” 10 So we are made holy because Christ obeyed God and offered himself once for all. 11 The priests do their work each day, and they keep on offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God’s right side, 13 and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power. 14 By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God.