“And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.”
Leviticus 16 describes the regulations and rituals associated with the Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur, which was an annual event in the Israelite calendar. On this day, the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle or later in the temple to make atonement for the sins of the people.
In Leviticus 16:19, we find a specific instruction regarding the sprinkling of blood. The high priest was to take some of the blood from the sin offering and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, which was the lid of the Ark of the Covenant. This act of sprinkling blood was done to cleanse and consecrate the Most Holy Place, which had been defiled by the sins of the people.
The repetition of the sprinkling seven times emphasizes the completeness and perfection of the cleansing process. The number seven often signifies completeness or fullness in the Bible, and here it symbolizes the thoroughness of the atonement made for the people’s sins. Through this ritual, the Israelites were assured that their sins were forgiven and that they could be in a right relationship with God.
It’s important to note that the rituals and sacrifices described in Leviticus were part of the Old Covenant, which was fulfilled by the coming of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the ultimate High Priest who offered Himself as the perfect and complete sacrifice for the sins of humanity. His death and resurrection provide forgiveness and reconciliation with God for all who believe in Him.
As Christians, we no longer need to perform the rituals and sacrifices of the Old Covenant because Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross has accomplished what those rituals symbolized. However, studying the Old Testament and understanding the significance of the rituals helps us appreciate the depth and magnitude of what Christ has done for us.
Conclusion:Leviticus 16:19 teaches us about the cleansing and consecration of the Most Holy Place through the sprinkling of blood during the Day of Atonement. This ritual pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who shed His blood to cleanse us from sin and reconcile us to God. As believers, we can find comfort and assurance in knowing that through faith in Christ, we have been cleansed and made holy in the sight of God.
