The Day of Atonement

Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 16:1-34. The Day of Atonement is central to Leviticus, not only structurally, but especially theologically. In the rites for the Day of Atonement, the LORD provides cleansing for the sins of His people, so that they do not die like Nadab and Abihu, and He provides cleansing for the tabernacle, so that the sins of Israel do not keep Him from dwelling in their midst. Both the sacrifices and the scapegoat point forward to Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is our mercy seat, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins. “The Holiness of God” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Leviticus. Because God desired to dwell among His sinful people for their blessing rather than their destruction, He gave them the sacrifices and regulations of Leviticus to bestow His holiness upon them. In this way, the book of Leviticus points us to Christ who is our great High Priest who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to make us holy before God.