Leviticus 16:7
And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Leviticus 16:7 (KJV)
Context
Leviticus 16:7 belongs to the instructions for the Day of Atonement, called Yom Kippur in Hebrew. This was the most solemn annual observance in ancient Israel, held on the tenth day of the seventh month. It was a day of fasting, repentance, and seeking forgiveness for the whole nation. On this day, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle to make atonement for the sins of the people and to cleanse the sanctuary.
In this verse, the high priest takes two goats and presents them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. This was not a private act. The goats were brought into the presence of God as part of the ceremonial process. The door of the tabernacle was where the people gathered, so the presentation was visible and deliberate.
Meaning
The two goats were both for a sin offering for the people, as Leviticus 16:5 states. Their presentation before the LORD shows that atonement must be made in God’s presence. Sin is not merely a personal or social problem; it is an offense against God, and it must be dealt with before Him. The high priest then cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat, as described in Leviticus 16:8. This determined the distinct role of each goat.
The goat chosen for the LORD was sacrificed as a sin offering. Its blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat in the Most Holy Place to make atonement. The other goat, the scapegoat, symbolically carried the sins of the people. The high priest laid his hands on its head and confessed the sins of Israel, transferring their guilt to the goat. Then the scapegoat was led into the wilderness, never to return, showing that the people’s sins were removed from the community.
Biblical connections
These two goats together illustrate two essential parts of atonement. The sacrificed goat provided the payment for sin through the shedding of blood. The scapegoat provided the complete removal of sin. Both point forward to the work of Jesus Christ. He became the perfect and final sacrifice for sin, and He also carries away the sins of those who trust in Him. Hebrews 9:11-12 explains that Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all, not with the blood of goats, but with His own blood, securing eternal redemption.
Application
This verse reminds us that sin is serious and must be dealt with before God. We cannot hide our sins or deal with them on our own terms. God has provided a way of atonement, and that way is through Jesus Christ. The old covenant rituals were a shadow of the greater reality to come. We can approach God with confidence because Christ has made full atonement for us.
Reflection
The presentation of the goats before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle emphasizes that atonement is made in the presence of God. It is a gracious provision, but it is also a solemn one. As we consider this verse, we are invited to reflect on the cost of our forgiveness and the completeness of what Christ has done. We can rest in the assurance that our sins are both paid for and removed, and we are called to live in grateful obedience to God.
