“And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.”
This verse is part of a description of the Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur, which was a significant observance in the Israelite religious calendar. The Day of Atonement was a day of fasting, repentance, and purification for the entire community of Israel.
In Leviticus 16:7-10, God provides instructions to Moses regarding the specific rituals to be carried out by Aaron, the high priest, on the Day of Atonement. These instructions include the casting of lots upon two goats.
Casting Lots: The act of casting lots was a method used in biblical times to seek God’s guidance and determine His will. It involved using objects, such as stones or marked sticks, to make a decision by chance. The casting of lots was seen as a way for God to direct His people and bring about His desired outcome.
In the context of Leviticus 16:8, Aaron, as the high priest, was responsible for casting lots upon two goats. This process determined the fate of the goats and allocated their roles in the atonement ritual.
The Two Goats: According to Leviticus 16:7-10, the two goats played distinct roles in the Day of Atonement ceremony. One goat was chosen by lot for the Lord, while the other goat became the scapegoat.
- The Goat for the Lord: The goat chosen for the Lord was sacrificed as a sin offering. It symbolized the payment for the sins of the people and the reconciliation between God and His people. This goat’s blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat inside the Most Holy Place to atone for the sins of the Israelites.
- The Scapegoat: The other goat, known as the scapegoat, was not sacrificed but served a different purpose. After the high priest confessed the sins of the people over the scapegoat, it was released into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins and guilt of the community. This act represented the removal and separation of sins from the people, offering them a clean slate before God.
Symbolism and Fulfillment: The rituals described in Leviticus 16 foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice and atonement that would be fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Jesus became the perfect and ultimate sacrificial Lamb of God, taking upon Himself the sins of humanity and offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God through His death and resurrection.
The two goats can be seen as symbolic of Christ’s work in atonement. The goat sacrificed for the Lord represents Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, shedding His blood as the payment for our sins. The scapegoat represents Jesus taking away our sins and removing them completely, separating us from the guilt and consequences of sin.
In summary, Leviticus 16:8 describes the casting of lots upon two goats during the Day of Atonement. This verse illustrates the process by which one goat was chosen as a sin offering for the Lord, while the other goat became the scapegoat, symbolically carrying away the sins of the people. These rituals foreshadowed the ultimate atonement accomplished through Jesus Christ, who became the perfect sacrifice and took away our sins, providing forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
