Dale Ridge church of Christ

             According to Strong’s, the word atonement (kipper) comes from a root word which means, “to cover . . . figuratively to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel.”  The annual Day of Atonement (yom kipper) signified to ancient Israel the cancelling or removal of their sins.  This noteworthy day for the children of Israel would fall somewhere on our late September or early October.  This was the one day in the year that the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place wherein he was to sprinkle blood from the offering upon the mercy seat to make atonement for the people.

                On yom kipper, two unique sacrifices were made according to Leviticus 16.  Two goats were taken and assigned lots.  One was to be offered unto the LORD (Leviticus 16:9), while the other was to be taken into an uninhabited place and set free after having the sins of the people symbolically placed and transferred upon it (Leviticus 16:10). That was in reality a representation of complete atonement.  The first goat that was sacrificed upon the altar stood for the shedding of the blood that would atone for sin.  The other goat or “scapegoat” stood for the removal (or remission) of that sin (Leviticus 16:22; Hebrews 9:22).

                These two goats offered on the Day of Atonement typified our perfect sacrifice of complete atonement (Isaiah 53:4; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 53:11; 1 Peter 2:24).  Jesus Christ has come and shed His precious blood upon the cross at Golgotha (Matthew 26:28).  He also has had our sins laid upon Him and has removed them far from us (Psalm 103:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21).  Through obedience to His will, we can enjoy the benefits of the complete atonement which He offers (Hebrews 5:8, 9).

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Filed under: Devotional, Michael Carter on August 17th, 2008