The Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement is a profound statement of the nature of God, man, and His reconciling nature. The entire day points both to God’s righteousness and man’s sinful nature. Most profound of all the statements the Day makes is that God’s provision of a Day of Atonement. Leviticus 16 demonstrates God’s desire for man to be reconciled to Himself. Though by the sovereign work of Jesus Christ on the cross man no longer needs to observe the Day of Atonement, Leviticus 16 still outlines to distinct, divine truths crucial to the Christian’s walk and communion with almighty and holy God.
First, the Day of Atonement teaches that God is perfect and righteous and man is not. Though seemingly a simple truth the course of the Bible is designed to reinforce this principle. The separation between God and man is the foundation for the need of the Holy Scriptures in the first place. Were it not for man’s sinfulness the Bible could have stopped at Genesis 2. Furthermore, was it not for God’s graciousness and desire to restore man, the Bible could have stopped at Genesis 3. Fortunately for man, it does not. The Day of Atonement is built on the acknowledgement on the part of the sinner that God is righteous. Man has no standing on which to approach the Father nor may he even be in His presence.
The Veil of the Tabernacle in the Holy of Holies illustrates this fundamental truth. Only on this one day of the year would God allow the High Priest to cross into His presence. The righteousness of God and the sinfulness of man was so evident by the veil that if the priest were to enter with any sin in his heart not atoned for God would strike him dead. The Day of Atonement reminds believers that even though they are saved by grace and reconciled to God they still have no grounds of their own accord by which to approach the Holy of Holies.
Second, the Day of Atonement reminds the reader that God takes sin seriously. If the course of the Pentateuch thus far has not made that truth completely evident, Leviticus 16 ensures the point is made crystal clear. The elaborate, intricate detail prescribed for the Day of Atonement illustrates the gravity of sin. The two goats God required further demonstrate the costliness of sin (Lev. 16: 7). Whereas other sacrifices during the year required one animal, the fact that God required two goats (one for sacrifice and the other as a scapegoat) indicate how seriously God views sin.
Because Christians have received an everlasting grace and forgiveness that cannot be taken away the pitfall for most believers is often the temptation to de-emphasize the gravity and costliness of sin. Unlike Israel the Church does not visibly witness the sacrifice required and made for sin with their eyes. On the Day of Atonement the High Priest would wear white linen that would soon become covered with blood. This stark contrast and juxtaposition would serve as a graphical illustration to the people just how costly sin was. For the Church today the Day of Atonement should serve as a reminder and indicator of the costliness of sin.
Third, the Day of Atonement teaches that more than just daily, individual sins separate man from God. Man’s sinfulness lays in his inherent corruption. As Leviticus 16 teaches man is ensnared in iniquity. This word iniquity stands for more than just sin as evil deeds. Rather, the word refers to the corrupt nature that pervades man’s soul. The Day of Atonement makes special distinction between its sacrifice and that of chapter 4’s sin offering. On this day the High Priest made the atoning sacrifice for Israel’s iniquity, or in other words their inherent sinfulness (Lev. 16:21).
Likewise, believers are to be reminded by the Day of Atonement that despite whatever “good deeds” they perform, sin is an inherent nature within them that requires outside atonement. Man is steeped in iniquity that supersedes any daily sacrifice he could make. Even if someone were to live a perfect life after the Day of Atonement they would still require this sacrifice each year in order to avoid eternal condemnation.
This truth points to the fourth truth from the Day of Atonement: the need for a substitute. Leviticus 16 reminds the reader that man’s offerings and sacrifices still are not enough to restore complete communion between God and man. A veil still separates man and God that cannot be breached because of man’s iniquity. Just as the two goats of verse 7 illustrate the costliness of sin they also demonstrate man’s need for a substitute in order to avoid the divine penalty for sin. If the Israelites were to avoid condemnation they had to place their iniquity on an innocent, living offering. Because God is just and righteous the penalty for transgression had to be paid. Furthermore the wrath of God against sin and rebellion had to be satiated. The Day of Atonement teaches that the penalty must be made requiring a substitute for Israel.
For the Church today, as well as for unbelievers seeking reconciliation with God, this truth in the Day of Atonement quells any notions of salvation by works. Sin must be atoned for and only through death can that be accomplished. In a “do-it-yourself” society the temptation is to save oneself. The Day of Atonement, however, clearly teaches that because of man’s iniquity, an outside substitute is required, pointing ultimately to Jesus Christ and the fifth truth.
God sets the parameters and path for atonement and salvation. Chapter 16 in its entirety demonstrates that God requires man to come before Him on His terms. Most significantly God provides a way for reconciliation. As aforementioned God’s graciousness is most demonstrated in the fact that He does not wipe out man after the Fall, even going as far as to place the greatest curse of sin upon Himself (Gen. 3:15). In the Day of Atonement God gives to Israel a means by which they can atone for their iniquity. He identifies the substitute that He will accept and allows the High Priest to cross the veil on this one day.
Ultimately, however, the Day of Atonement points to God sending His Son, Jesus Christ, as the perfect atoning substitute for man’s iniquity. Just as He outlined how Israel could be forgiven in the Day of Atonement, so He also makes provision and instruction for eternal reconciliation in the person of Jesus Christ. The Day of Atonement teaches of God’s righteousness and man’s iniquity. It is built on the inherent truth that man is separate from God and must have a substitute for the heavy penalty for sin. Leviticus 16 is an illustration of God’s graciousness and love in that He provides the answer for how man can avoid eternal condemnation. The ultimate truth from the Day of Atonement is that only He can pay the penalty for sin and cross the veil that divides man from God.