Atonement made for us.

Introduction

Leviticus

Chapters 1-15 = Law for sacrifices and purity.

Chapter 16 - Atonement - The holiest day of the year for God’s people under the old covenant. “Yom Kippur” or “Day of Atonement”

Chapter 17-27 -Holy living that God requires of His people.

Atonement

satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.

the process by which people remove obstacles to their reconciliation with God.

Exalting Jesus in Leviticus God Forgives and Removes Sin (Leviticus 16:1–34)

The inner sanctum of old covenant religion was the most holy place or holy of holies in the tabernacle, and later in the temple in Jerusalem. Only the high priest could enter that space, and he entered only on the Day of Atonement. On that day the most sacred person entered the most sacred space and performed the most sacred worship ceremonies (Sarna, Exploring Exodus, 205). The ceremonies of the Day of Atonement are also the most important Old Testament ceremonies for New Testament Christians because they most clearly explain and illustrate God’s central and final act of atoning grace—the death of Jesus for our sins. What are the primary truths God has communicated in Leviticus 16 and through the Day of Atonement?

I. A call to Holiness

Leviticus 11:44 NASB95

44 ‘For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth.

Why give the law?

Holy (set apart)

We are sinners

Offerings

Burnt offerings - Atonement

Grain offering - Dedication/Consecration

Peace offering - Reconciliation/fellowship

Sin offering - Propitiation (appeasing God’s wrath)

Guilt offering - Repentance

Leviticus 18:2–5 NASB95

2 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘I am the Lord your God. 3 ‘You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. 4 ‘You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the Lord your God. 5 ‘So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the Lord.

II. An act of atonement

Leviticus 16:29-34

Atonement for Priest (vv 2-6; 11-14)

Atonement for the People (vv 7-10; 15-22)

Conclusion

What does this mean for us (New Testament)?

Reconciliation JESUS

Fulfillment of offerings

Burnt offerings - Atonement

Grain offering - Dedication/Consecration

Peace offering - Reconciliation/fellowship

Sin offering - Propitiation (appeasing God’s wrath)

Guilt (trespass) offering - Repentance

Fulfillment of Atonement

Sacrificed Goat - atonement for sin

Hebrews 9:11–12 NASB95

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Scapegoat - removal of sin

2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB95

21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Hebrews 10:1-18

Call to Holiness

1 Peter 1:1-9: 13-17

1 Peter 3:8-18 (Psalm 34)