DAY OF ATONEMENT

The tenth day of the seventh month [Tishri] of the Hebrew sacred calendar, and the first month of the civil calendar. This answers to Sept. and Oct. of the Roman calendar. See Ex. 12:1-2. Lev. Ch. 16: describes in detail the order of the day; In which the “High Priest”,

[ Heb.”:Kohen”] offers for himself and his family first a bullock as a “whole burnt offering” “olah” that which ascends” every part of the animal is consumed by fire, Leaving only the ashes that were carried outside the camp for disposal. This represents the complete destroying and removal of sin from mankind.

This is a type of the cleansing of our sins by the blood of Jesus in the N.T.

Aaron the brother of Moses was the first H.P. and his sons were priests that operated under his direction to serve in the rituals of the Tabernacle and the sacrificial system.

There were certain procedures that had to be accomplished before they could officiate in their calling. This includes washing of hands and feet at the “laver” that was placed between the door of the Tabernacle and the altar.

See Ex. 40: then they were dressed in “holy garments” as prescribed in Ex. 28: Among these garments was a “ephod” a garment of two pieces attached at the shoulders with “two shoulder pieces” that would hold two engraved “onyx” stones that each had the names of six of children of Israel. The ephod of the H.P. was made of fine linen fibers with colors of gold, blue, purple and scarlet. This garment was also known as a robe or mantle. See Ex. 28:31-35.

On the hem or border were alternating pomegranates [pomegranates were a highly desired fruit from a tree that when ripe was of bright red color. The juice of the fruit was used in a drink served at weddings. This represents God’s marriage to Israel] and bells. The bells were to call attention to the movements of the H.P. When he went behind the vail to sprinkle the blood on the “Mercy Seat” on the day of atonement; a rope was tied to his feet because if he was not accepted when he approached the Mercy Seat God would strike him dead and anyone that would attempt to retrieve the body would also die.

On the front of the ephod was attached the breastplate adorned with 12 precious stones also named for Tribes of Israel. This breastplate also held the “Umin” and “Thumim” were cast at the demand of God to determine yes or no answers to certain questions.

Ex. 28:15-20: This breastplate was made was known as the breastplate of judgement, and made with “cunning” work. [Woven of linen twine with great skill] The twine would be of colors of gold, blue, purple and scarlet colors. The size was @ nine and a half inches square.

It would have a setting of four rows of precious stones. The first row would be of sardius, [ruby] topaz, and carbuncle. [emerald] The second row; garnet, sapphire and a diamond. The third row ligure [jancinth agate and a amethyst the fourth row; beryl, onyx and a jasper.

Each stone would carry the name of one of one tribe of Israel The breastplate would be attached to the ephod with two chains of gold.

As a part of dress required a “curious girdle” [a belt or sash made of linen with the same colors as the ephod; except on the Day of Atonement all clothing required to be pure white.

The H.P. also wore an inward a long shirt like garment; sometimes called a tunic. If this garment was not worn the person was “declared” naked. Another requirement was to wear “breeches” to cover their nakedness from the loins to the thighs. They were to wear bonnets [mitre or turban] for their beauty and glory.

After the preparation was complete; the offering of the bullock began. See Num.29: 8 and Lev.4: 2- The H.P. will place his hand upon the head of the offering, “and it will be accepted for him to atone for his sins. Next he kills the animal and takes the blood and sprinkles it around the altar by the tabernacle door. [at the door] this altar was the altar for “burnt offerings” that was in the courtyard near the door of the Tabernacle. See: The Tabernacle and its furnishings.

On this “special day” the H.P. would remove his “priestly robes” and wash his flesh; then dress himself in a plain white linen robe [Holy linen coat] with a linen breeches a linen girdle and his head covered with a linen mitre. Before he dresses he must wash his flesh [entire body] Before he proceeds with the ritual of atonement he “takes” of the congregation of Israel two kids of goats [he-goats] for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering. He will bring these to and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle, just as he did his bullock. He then cast lots upon the goats to choose one for the Lord and one for the scapegoat. S# 5799 “Azazel” complete removal or departure. “that which cause mankind to sin’. See John 1:29 and Rom. 6:1-14.

After he has killed the bullock, he takes some of its blood and sprinkles it seven times upon the floor in front of the vail of the sanctuary. And some of the blood he will put on the horns [corners] of the burnt altar.

Before he proceeds with the burnt offering he approaches the altar of incense removes a coal of fire places it in a hand held container then sprinkles incense on the coal. Now he moves behind the vail and when the smoke covers the mercy seat he goes back outside to get blood returns to sprinkle it on the mercy seat to complete the ritual of atonement. He goes behind the vail four times this day. The four times are considered as one time for the sake of continuity of the rite of purification. Remember; before each time he goes behind the vail he must wash his hands and feet.

Next he removes the fat, the kidneys, the caul, [loose flesh that surrounds the kidney] the skin, the head, his legs the intestines and the dung; then burn them upon the burnt altar. After these items were burned the ashes were swept up and carried along with the other parts of the animal to a “clean place” out side the camp and burned again. This place was chosen so that would be no obstruction to prevent the wind from blowing the ashes away; never to be seen again. This represents the power of the blood of Jesus to take away sin, John 1:29 and to be remembered no more Heb. 8:12 and 10:17.

After this he completed task the person that burns the sacrifice [ he must be a Levite and of the family of Kohath and over thirty years old. See Ex.4:34-37. At the first numbering there were 2,750.] he was required to wash his clothes and bath himself in water before he was allowed to enter the camp.

This should be an example to the church today; that God still requires his people to be free of the guilt of sin to serve in the House of the Lord.

Now that the H.P. had taken care of “his sins” he must now deal with the sins of the congregation. The N.T. application of this principal is taught in 2nd. Tim. 2:1-6. Before a church leader can be effective his life and conduct must be sanctified.

The washing and dressing procedure is now repeated on the goat that represented the Lord.

Now that the burnt offerings have been completed, The H.P. Takes the live goat and lays both of his hand on the head of the live goat and confesses the all the iniquities and transgressions of all the congregation of Israel. Now he sends him away by a “fit man” into the wilderness.

Jesus, who by being the son of God and without sin was worthy to become sin for the people, represents the “fit man” in the N.T.

The Rabbis tell us that on the route to the wilderness there were placed “watchmen” at intervals with white flags to wave so that the people would know that Azazel had passed that point. There was also placed a scarlet ribbon on the door of the Tabernacle and after the goat had passed the last marker and pushed off a cliff the scarlet ribbon would turn white. This indicating that God had accepted the offering and their sins were gone.

Lev 16:29-32 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:

For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

It shall be a Sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute forever.

It becomes very plain that after the Temple was destroyed and the mercy seat removed there was no remedy for sin until Jesus came and became the sacrifice for the sin of the world.

See Hebrews chapters 9: -10.