E.G.O. ---- Edging God Out --- what happened to our Sabbath – and the 7 Feasts of the LORD? -- Week 7 -- Yom Kippur / Day of Atonment

E.G.O.  ----  Edging God Out    

--- what happened to our Sabbath – and the 7 Feasts of the LORD?

Facilitated by †Ken Neuhaus at Fort Mitchell Baptist Church (KY) 

(8 week series 2/5/17 – 3/26/17) on 3/19/17

We are continuing in the discussion from Leviticus 23, regarding the Feasts of the LORD.  This week, we discuss Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement. --- Leviticus 23:27-32

So, almost a month and a half ago, we entered into the Hebrew month of Elul.   A month of repentance and preparing for the Feast of Trumpets.  Then, at the first of the month of Tishri, the Trumpets are blown to announce the Feast, and to awaken people to think about their atonement.  Then, on the tenth day of Tishri, the Israelites observe Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement.   

 Let's start off by discussing redemption.   Psalm 49:7   The root word of Kippur is kafar which is derived from kofer, meaning "Ransom."  This is parallel to the word "redeem" which means "to atone by offering a substitute."  Many of the sacrifices of the Old Testament concerned making an atonement  where the blood of a sacrificial animal was required in exchange for the live blood of the worshiper.  This is seen in the actions of placing hands on the head of the sacrifice, confessing his sins over the animal, then killing the animal or sending it out as a scapegoat.   We've seen many places where the sacrifice of animal is an offering to the LORD.  We also see where an animal is sent out as a scapegoat.  

And so it is with Yom Kippur.  This is the only time of the year that the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place of the Temple to atone for the sins of all the Israelites.  It is important to note that as we read Leviticus 16, the realm of the holy must be separate from the realm of the unclean.  

Unclean  (<--- intentional and unintentional)   Clean   (---> sanctification)   Holy

Matthew 15:11 & Matthew 15:18

First, the High Priest must be both physically and ceremonially clean.  

Then as the High Priest is now clean, he labors to ensure the altar is holy.

And, as the altar is now holy, God provides atonement for His people.

So on this day, two goats were brought before the High Priest.  He would lay hands on them and symbolically transfer the sins of the people into them.  The first one was the sacrifice—the one that provided atonement for the people’s sins. The second, however, was the scapegoat. This one was released into the wilderness to wander and eventually die, removing sin from the camp. The blood of the first goat brought forgiveness. The second goat that was sent away from the camp brought sanctification.   This goat represents Satan, the one who departed from God and who is responsible for all the evil in this world.  John 8:34-44   Jesus has redeemed us.  But to understand our Redemption in the Cross, we must understand how Jesus as High Priest was also the Spotless Passover Lamb, how His Blood ensures that the alter is holy, so that God has atonement for any who accept it.  Also, important to understand that the shedding of blood has always been required for the forgiveness of sin.  That is why Jesus had to die and shed His blood for us.  And that is good news.  Our Redeemer exchanged His blood for ours.  Under the New Covenant, since the veil of the Holy of Holies was rent in two, all we need to do is accept His sacrifice.

It is important to understand here, the sacrifices under the Old Testament only covered sin, where as the atonement of Jesus removes sin.  

The Jewish nation celebrates Yom Kippur as the highest holy day of the year.  They have spent the previous 40 days to prepare and examine themselves to ceremonially find Atonement.  However, as we mentioned with the first four Feasts in this study, those have been fulfilled in Christ.  Yom Kippur will reach its fulfillment when Jesus is recognized as King of the Jews and the King of Israel.   

Matthew Henry Commentary
Christ shows that the defilement they ought to fear, was not from what entered their mouths as food, but from what came out of their mouths, which showed the wickedness of their hearts. Nothing will last in the soul but the regenerating graces of the Holy Spirit; and nothing should be admitted into the church but what is from above; therefore, whoever is offended by a plain, seasonable declaration of the truth, we should not be troubled at it. The disciples ask to be better taught as to this matter. Where a weak head doubts concerning any word of Christ, an upright heart and a willing mind seek for instruction. It is the heart that is desperately wicked, Jer 17:9, for there is no sin in word or deed, which was not first in the heart. They all come out of the man, and are fruits of that wickedness which is in the heart, and is wrought there. When Christ teaches, he will show men the deceitfulness and wickedness of their own hearts; he will teach them to humble themselves, and to seek to be cleansed in the Fountain opened for sin and uncleanness.