We're spending two days in Leviticus being reminded what it takes to be in a right relationship with God.
Read / Listen to the chapter:
Reading the chapter in an outlined format will really help with Lev. 16
Leviticus 16 Summary
Leviticus 16 is a description of what was to be done on the holiest day of the Hebrew calendar: Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement.
Both the tabernacle and later the Jerusalem temple had areas of escalating holiness, with increasing limits on who was allowed to enter into them. The most sacred spot, of course, was the Holy of Holies which was separated from the rest of the temple by a thick veil. This is where the Ark of the Covenant, upon which God's earthly presence dwelt.
Unauthorized entry into the Holy of Holies meant instant death. Yet once a year, God commanded the high priest to enter in so that atonement (payment) could be rendered for the sins of God's people. Leviticus 16 describes the elaborate steps and preparations required for this most solemn of ceremonies.
Dig Deeper
Imagine how nervous the priest must have been fulfilling this duty. God's instructions are crystal clear, but there's so much that needed to be done, and be done exactly as described. One omitted or flawed step would be catastrophic.
This is why Christ's sacrificial death on the cross is so significant. We need to be reminded of the barrier that stood between God and man. We need to be reminded of what it means that God is holy, a word that certainly means sinless, but more so it means that our holy God is separate. Yet for those who are in Christ, that barrier has been broken down and the heavy woven veil that separated God from His people has been torn in two.
Next week we'll begin reading the book of Hebrews, which can seem really complicated. As we read, we'll be reminded of how the active and passive obedience of Christ was so much more than just an annual payment to God; it fully satisfied the righteous wrath that God has for our sin.
AAA Prayer:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: A holy God who requires sin to be atoned with blood in order to come into His presence;
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask God to help you truly appreciate what Christ accomplished for you, especially as we begin reading Hebrews next week.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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