LEVITICUS 16
The most important day. The annual Day of Atonement was the most significant of Israel’s special days because on it their sins were atoned for. It was the only time the high priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. Nadab and Abihu tried to do it their own way and were judged (Lev. 10), so this ceremony was a matter of life and death.
The most important person. You can see the Lord Jesus illustrated in the high priest. He did the work alone. He laid aside His garments of glory (Phil. 2:5–8), and He sanctified Himself for us (
The most important reason. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies three times: (1) with the incense (vv. 12–14), (2) with blood for his sins, and (3) with blood for the sins of the people. The cloud of incense speaks of the glory of God, which is the whole purpose of redemption (
Scapegoat may come from an Aramaic word that means “to remove.” The setting free of the live goat pictured God’s forgiveness of their sins (Ps. 103:10–13), but this required the death of the other goat. Salvation is free, but it is not cheap.