ETB Leviticus 16:1-10, 29-30

Session 12: 2/16/2025 Atonement p. 109

Some places are more special than others, but often their value is more about the experience of the place upon the person rather than the cost of the materials.

Ask: Did (or does) your house have a living room? If not yours, maybe a friend or relative did? On what occasions was the room used? (p. 109)

The fact that these rooms were only used for “special occasions” made those events more special and added to the intrinsic value of the room. All of my mom’s DAR meetings were held in this room. When my grandmothers came to stay, this was the room that you “visited” with them even though they were sleeping and eating elsewhere in the house, having this place “set apart” for them made them feel even more special.

As believers, the most special place we can think of is the presence of God. We cannot enjoy that fully on this side of heaven, but the Israelites got the closest to making His throne room here on earth. Later it would be the temple in Jerusalem, but God did not wait to be available to His people. He began creating the space to commune with His people immediately after bringing them out of Egypt. But like our living rooms, this earthly throne room was not to be used every day.

Understand the Context

Leviticus 11–15 are introduced in 10:10, where the priests are commanded to “distinguish” between holy and common, clean and unclean. They also had the responsibility of teaching the people how to be a holy nation.

The instructions in the preceeding chapters were given in preparation for the Day of Atonement in chapter 16. Each situation produced uncleanness, and each situation required a cleansing. The remedies varied according to seriousness, but the conditions had to be resolved before a person could participate in community worship again.

The Bible does not explain why certain acts or experiences rendered someone unclean, or why certain animals were clean and permissible to eat, while others were unclean. Even Moses and the people may not have understood the distinctions completely. But faith in God’s plans has always been a mark of following Him well.

The ritual purity associated with physical conditions also pointed to the importance of moral purity. If a “small” matter, like touching a dead body, made someone unclean, how much more unclean was a person who caused someone’s death, especially if it was intentional. So ritual purity was to lead to moral purity and could not be a substitute for it. Ritual purity without a heart turned toward God, though, was empty (see Mal. 1:10; Matt. 23:25-26). [LifeWay Adults (2025). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Winter 2024-’25]

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 16

The Day of Atonement (Hb yom kippur) was an annual ceremony held on the tenth day of Tishri (September/October). Self-denial is usually associated with fasting and prayer (

Transition: As we reflect on these verses, consider what it means to be “holy” today and how you personally can embrace holiness in your life each day.

Explore the Text

Leviticus 16:1–2 ESV

1 The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the Lord and died, 2 and the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.

Last week we briefly looked at the preparations made in cleansing the tabernacle for God’s presence. Today’s passage focuses on the cleansing of the people.

NIV Bible Speaks Today: Notes Chapter 16

the two central acts of the Day of Atonement are inextricably bound together. It is not that the cleansing of the sanctuary comes first and then the cleansing of the people. Cleansing the sanctuary involves cleansing the people and vice versa. The acts are mutually complementary, like two sides of the same coin.

If cleansing the sanctuary means cleansing the people and vice versa, what does this suggest to you about the relationship between God and God’s people?

God’s people are to be holy as He is holy. Holy, Holy, Holy is this Lord God Almighty.

drew near before the Lord and died

Last session when we looked at the deaths of the two sons in Chapter 10, it suggested that they died because of “unauthorized fire.” This passage tells us that they also “approached God” in an unholy manner that required a holy God to immediately cast them down in righteousness. It seems that the fire and the approach were outward displays of an internal contempt for God’s holiness. Whether this was done with intent or out of ignorance (like Uzzah) we cannot tell. We correctly surmise that the following passage is about the most holy of rituals in contrast to the way that the sons presented their rejected offering.

Ask: How does our culture view sin and its consequences? (p. 111)

There is little to no separation between common and holy. This makes the concept of sin very diminished and therefore unnecessary to mitigate.

not to come at any time

Although "not to come at any time” the more literal translation, some of the other contextual translations have “whenever he chooses.” This helps us understand the intent was not a total ban on Aaron coming into the Holy Place, but a ban on his desire to approach God at his whim.

Because the timing of when to approach God is the first thing that is mentioned, many infer that the two sons attempted to enter at an “inappropriate time.” Although this is not specifically stated as a reason for their deaths in these passages, I can see and relate to inference.

There is a reason that governments and leaders put limitations on certain things. I remember as a young boy using little firecrackers to blow apart old models and shoot rocks into the air or across the pond. The compulsive desire was to go bigger with each explosion, but a firecracker can only do so much, anything bigger required an “adult” to purchase - for good reason. I probably would not have all my fingers if I could have kept getting more powerful “poppers.” The day before the 2 sons died, they saw the glory of the Lord come down and consume the sacrifices on the altar outside the tent in the courtyard. I could see them wanting to “go bigger” and getting farther in and closer to God for an even more miraculous display. Unfortunately, they had not been told yet what the limitations were, and they suffered the consequences. I do believe that if they had “asked” God about it through pray first, they would have known it was inappropriate. But I wasn’t thinking about asking permission or possible ramifications either when the last firecrackers sent rocks bouncing off the car and chipping a window.

The consequences for those attempting to come directly into the presence of God in the tabernacle or temple where much more dire than a chipped window.

so that he may not die

The Lord did not want Aaron to make a mistake that would cost him his life. This is God’s mercy trying to protect His servant and the future priests, Aaron’s descendants. We have the same merciful Lord warning us each day through the indwelling of His Spirit. We are so blessed not to have to go to a tabernacle or a temple to meet with God. We ARE the tabernacle, and God will never leave us - even when we aren’t talking to Him.

For I will appear

What a promise from the Lord - “I will appear.” God is coming, make ready. I always knew when a DAR meeting or grandmother was coming because the living room got cleaned. God said He was coming so the final preparations needed to be made.

Not only was God going to appear, but He named the place.

For I will appear... in the cloud over the mercy seat.

This anthropomorphic language always fascinated me and caused me to wonder.

Unlike you may have seen in pictures or movies, there was no actual “chair” on the top of the ark. What is called the “mercy seat” involves the entire “lid” of the ark of the covenant. Moses was put in an ark as a baby, but it was not covered. Noah built an ark, and then he was told to “make a roof for the ark.” This cover also had 2 facing cherubim and God said He would meet them “from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony,” That is very small space for an Infinite God to manifest. But the space is even smaller than that because in today’s passage He add that He will be “in the cloud” meaning totally surrounded by a cloud enough to obscure direct vision. Even with only this little pin prick of His presence, His holiness and power are so immense it purifies and eradicates all sin instantly throughout the Holy Places of the tabernacle. How vast and power He is! One day, we will get to see Him unhindered by cloud or sin and be able to explore the immensity of His presence and His intensity of His holiness for all of eternity.

Leviticus 16:3–6 ESV

3 But in this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a bull from the herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on. 5 And he shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. 6 “Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house.

But in this way Aaron shall come

God always gives a way to approach Him. Aaron had to do it through a very specific ritual and on a very specific day. Today it is no less specific, maybe even more so.

John 14:6 “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Matthew 11:27 “27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

John 6:44 “44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”

Life Application Bible Notes Chapter 16

Aaron had to spend hours preparing himself to meet God. But we can approach God anytime (

He shall put on

Not only is the day and the offerings prescribed, even the clothes to wear are specified. This is not surprising though as God has already given a previous dress code for His priests during their service. Bezalel was given the insight for all the ornamentation and jewels. But that is not what is worn this time. For this service it is very humble, unornamented attire. The showy stuff is for the people to see, but God wants humility in His presence. Only the hands, feet, and face are exposed, everything else is covered with simple linen fabric.

Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament Volume 1 (Genesis–Job) Leviticus 16:4

Normally, the high priest would wear glorious garments—colorful robes bordered by pomegranates and bells, a jeweled breastplate, a golden plate across his forehead. But on Yom Kippur, he would lay aside his regal robes and wear only the simple linen garments worn by the priests. And that is what Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, did for us when He laid aside the attributes of His Divinity and clothed Himself with humanity in order to offer Himself a sacrifice for you and me.

bathe his body in water

There is a lot of washing commanded for the priests throughout the various sacrifices and services. Several commentaries note that this is the only one that the whole body is to be bathed while inside the tabernacle.

take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering

In the sacrificial system, bigger sins or more sins require bigger or more numerous sacrifices. Back in verse 3, Aaron had to offer up a bull - the biggest and most expensive animal - for his sacrifice to God. Yet all the people of Israel were represented by these 2 goats.

Why do you think it was this way?

I think it has to do with proximity. Aaron was approaching God in the Holy of Holies. The people only came to the very front of the Tent of Meeting, never inside. They were further away and did not have to come as close.

Isn’t this still true today? The closer to God you want to get, the more it will cost you. Look what it cost our Lord, to go back into the presence of His Father. Not just His life, but 33 years in enemy territory, confined to a finite body, suffering the weight of all human sin, and separation from His Father’s presence for a time. That is the still the cost for us to approach God. Yes, the veil is torn and the sacrificial system is removed, but the humility of heart and moral purity is still required to come before God appropriately.

Leviticus 16:7–10 ESV

7 Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 8 And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel. 9 And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the Lord and use it as a sin offering, 10 but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel.

How do we use the term “scapegoat” today?

Concise Oxford English Dictionary Scapegoat

a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings or mistakes of others.

This concept for the Judeo-Christian culture began here in the Exodus when God told the people how He would place their sins and wrongdoings upon another to remove them from His presence and allow His people to become holy.

two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel

Normally a sin offering is sacrificed but for this ritual 2 goats are needed for different purposes.

One goat is brought into the presence of the Lord as a sacrifice as usual. The other goat is to be driven away from the Lord as far as possible to an “uninhabitable place”, some translations put it Azazel, which comes from the root word for removal. The first sin offering was for “covering” or atoning for sin before God. This second animal was to “remove” them from God’s presence.

Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament Volume 1 (Genesis–Job) Leviticus 16:20–22

We remember each other’s sin. But God has chosen to erase from His memory bank the sins we confess.

Most people know this doctrinally, but because they don’t believe it in the deepest part of their soul, they believe God is disappointed in them because of what happened ten years ago or ten weeks ago or ten minutes ago. In

When we regularly confess our sins, this doctrinal truth gives us a greater freedom to worship and come before God. God does not remember our sins and when can dwell on Him and not on our past failures, we can grow in the knowledge of and faith in Him.

Transition: One might think that the Day of Atonement was so awe-inspiring that it would never be forgotten. But God knows mankind’s tendency to stray, so He took steps to remind them of their need for Him.

Leviticus 16:29–30 ESV

29 “And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you. 30 For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins.

Ask: What does it say about God’s character that He has provided a way for us to repent and be forgiven? (p. 116)

Could God have mandated that this ritual be done every week? What character attribute of God is displayed by His rule that this only had to happen once per year?

“You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins.”

That was the whole purpose for the tabernacle. The past year’s work of meticulously creating all the pieces to make the tent of meeting and the priestly attire. The week-long ceremony to sanctify all those parts. All the sacrifices that were made for Aaron and his sons to be able to present these 2 goats. This was the reason for it all. And all these points to our need to make the cleansing permanent.

After the Day of Atonement, any Israelite would be able to approach the Lord in worship at the tabernacle. As wonderful as this would be for them, the situation of the person joined to Christ by faith is even better. The author of Hebrews explains that Old Testament sacrifices revealed only a shadow of what was to come (Heb. 10:1-2). But Christ’s sacrifice set people apart and made them holy (10:10).

Whereas Aaron’s work at the sanctuary was never done, Christ was able to sit down at God’s side because He had perfectly fulfilled the mission of atonement and reconciliation (10:12-14). Through Christ, all our sins and our guilt are completely cleansed and removed, leaving not even a thin film of defilement behind to keep us from God’s presence. Therefore, even better than Aaron’s high priesthood, we can come directly into God’s presence thanks to Jesus, our High Priest (10:19-22). [ETB:ALG Win’25]

Apply the Text

The anonymous author of Hebrews noted that the high priest could relate to the sins and weaknesses of others because he was in the same boat (Heb. 5:2-3). That’s why he had to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the people. In stark contrast, Christ, our ultimate High Priest, could relate to our weaknesses despite never falling to a temptation or committing a sin (4:14-15).

We needed a perfect, sinless high priest, and Christ met that need (7:26). He is our High Priest, not because of external factors that could end with sin and death, but because He is the Author of life (7:16). Jesus not only overpowered sin, but He also conquered death. Instead of offering daily sacrifices, He gave Himself “once for all” (7:27). [ETB:ALG Win’25]

Pray: Lord, thank You for the reminders and warnings that sin always has consequences. Guide us each day this week to seek Your forgiveness and have our sins “removed.” Lord, we know that only Jesus’s death on the cross fully pays the penalty for our sins, and by that sacrifice alone are we able to present to You, our prayers. God, thank You that Jesus’s death allows us to be free of sin’s consequences and considered righteous before You.