Week 4: The Day of Atonement

Objective: 

• The rite of the Day of Atonement

• The Sacraments of Confession 
• The Symbolism of Christ in that day 
• The Sanctity of blood and symbolism of the Blood of Christ

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary

Reading:

• Leviticus 16-17

Key verse(s):

"This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year.” Leviticus 16:34

Comments:

The day of Atonement

1. Aaron should remove his normal priestly garments, wash himself, and  then put on the special garments for entering the Holy of Holies
2. Aaron secured the necessary animals (a bull for his own sin offering, two male goats for the people’s sin offering, two rams for the two burnt offerings)
3. Aaron slaughtered the bull for his own sin offering
4. Aaron creates a cloud of incense in the Holy of Holies, covering the mercy seat to “veil” the glory of God and spare his life
5. Aaron took some of the blood of the bull and sprinkled it on the mercy seat seven times
   
6. Lots are cast for the two goats to determine which would be slaughtered and which would be driven away
7. The goat for slaughter is the goat of the people’s sin offering. It is sacrificed and its blood is taken to the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on the mercy seat.
8. The blood of the bull and goat is sprinkled in the Holy Place and on the horns of the altar of incense
9. The second goat is released outside the camp, carrying the sins of the nation symbolically laid on its head
10. Aaron entered the tent, removed his garments, washed himself and put on his normal priestly garments
11. The burnt offerings of rams are now offered. One for Aaron and his family, and one for the people
12. The sin offerings are completed by burning the fat of the skins and burning the remains of the bull and goat
13. Those who handled the animals on which the sins of Aaron or the people were laid were to go and wash themselves and then return to camp

• The people played an active role in the Day of Atonement even though they were observing a Sabbath rest.
• The Vestments of the Priest
  • The normal vestments were colorful, with many stones and jewelry and gold–made to look like a king.
  • On the Day of Atonement, the priest looked more like a slave when he went before the presence of God
  • In the presence of God, even the high priest is stripped of all honor: he becomes simply the servant of the King of kings
  • The Day of Atonement was a time for the priest to confess before God the sins of the nation.
  • We can see the Sacrament of Confession

Symbolism of Christ

• Putting off luxurious clothes is a symbol of Christ who emptied Himself with His incarnation.
• Wearing white clothes and frequent washing are symbols of Christ’s purity and righteousness.
• This day was repeated every year, as if the period of the year indicated the period of Christ’s physical stay on earth.
• At the end of the year, that is, the end of Christ’s life on earth, He offered himself as an atonement for our sins
• The entry of the high priest into the Holy of Holies symbolizes that Christ carries us to the Father
• The high priest’s intercession on behalf of the people is Christ’s intercession for us, an atoning intercession.
• When the High Priest enters the Holy Place, all the people look to the Holy Place, waiting for his coming out. Thus, we look to heaven, waiting for the appearance of Christ in His second coming.

Chapter 17 - The Sanctity of Blood

• Putting off luxurious clothes is an indication of Christ’s self-emptying.

  Wearing white clothes and frequent washing are symbols of Christ’s purity and righteousness.

  This day was repeated every year, as if the period of the year indicated the period of Christ’s physical stay on earth.

  At the end of the year, that is, the end of Christ’s life on earth, he offered himself as an atonement for our sins.

  The entry of the high priest into the Holy of Holies symbolizes that Christ carries us into the arms of his Father.

  The high priest’s intercession on behalf of the people is Christ’s intercession for us, an atoning intercession.

  When the High Priest enters the Holy Place, all the people look to the Holy Place, waiting for his second coming out. Thus, we look to heaven, waiting for the appearance of Christ in his second coming.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1.  The Day of Atonement was the only day on which the High Priest entered the Holy of Holiest. What
   were the requirements for him to enter?
2. Two goats were presented on the Day of Atonement: what happened to each of them?
3. Give verse in the New Testament that has the same meaning as verse 11.
4. Why forbid the eating of animals that died naturally?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. The scapegoat is the goat that is:
   a) killed as a sacrifice b) burnt c) released into the wilderness d) served as food for Aaron
2. The Day of Atonement was celebrated on the __________ month, on the ________ day of the month.
3. How often was the Day of Atonement celebrated?
4. How was a scapegoat chosen?
5.  The life of the flesh is in the __________.
6. A person is allowed to eat an animal that died naturally. True or false?
7. Where should all the sacrifices be brought?
8. Only men from the House of Israel are allowed to offer sacrifices. True or false?