Day 049 Leviticus 16-18
Welcome to Day 049. God establishes the Day of Atonement. THE holiest day of the year when the entire nation's sins are forgiven, and the relationship is restored.
On this day, the high priest enters the Most Holy Place, the only time any human enters where God's presence directly dwells. He brings blood from a sin offering and sprinkles it on the mercy seat. This atones for Israel's sins.
Two goats are brought: one is sacrificed; one becomes the scapegoat, symbolically carrying away the nation's sins into the wilderness. The sins are removed... completely gone.
It's a powerful annual reminder that, no matter what we've done, there's a way to be forgiven. No matter how far we've strayed, restoration is available. The entire nation gets a fresh start once a year.
God also gives laws about sexual purity and relationships, emphasizing that holiness extends to every aspect of life, and it is not just religious ritual.
The Heartbeat: God provides complete, corporate forgiveness. No sin is too great. The entire nation can be restored at once. This day foreshadows Jesus, who becomes both the sacrifice and the scapegoat! He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, once for all.
Heart-Check: Have you experienced complete forgiveness? What would it mean to start fresh with God today?
Listen to today's verses from the ESV, then scroll down to select your learning path for today's reading for supplemental studying