“And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.”
Context: Leviticus 16 provides detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement, which was the most important day in the Israelite religious calendar. It was a day when the high priest, once a year, would enter the Most Holy Place and make atonement for the sins of the people.
The altar before the LORD: The verse mentions the altar that is “before the LORD.” This refers to the bronze altar located in the courtyard of the Tabernacle or later the Temple. It was where sacrifices were offered to God.
Making atonement: The high priest was to make an atonement for the altar. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, atonement involved the shedding of blood to cleanse and purify the sanctuary and the people from their sins. The blood symbolized the life that was given as a substitute for the sinner’s life.
The blood of the bullock and the goat: On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would take the blood of a bull and a goat to sprinkle it on the horns of the altar. The bull represented atonement for the sins of the priest and his household, while the goat represented the atonement for the sins of the people.
Symbolism and significance: The sprinkling of blood on the horns of the altar symbolized the transfer of sin from the people to the sanctuary. The altar, being a place of sacrifice, became a focal point for the purification of sin and the reconciliation of the people with God. The blood represented the means through which forgiveness and reconciliation were obtained.
- Foreshadowing Christ: The rituals and sacrifices described in Leviticus 16 foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Just as the high priest made atonement for the sins of the people, Jesus, the ultimate High Priest, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of all humanity. Through His shed blood, we can find forgiveness, redemption, and reconciliation with God.
- Application: While the Levitical system of sacrifices is no longer practiced today because of Jesus’ fulfillment of it, we can still draw valuable lessons from this passage. It reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. It highlights the importance of the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, which provides us with forgiveness and reconciliation with God. It also encourages us to approach God with reverence and gratitude for the great sacrifice made on our behalf.
Remember, studying the Old Testament helps us appreciate the depth and significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and understand the continuity of God’s plan of redemption throughout Scripture.
