Today is a solemn day for a significant percentage of Israeli and Jews throughout the world. This is the day where they come before the LORD in Repentance. This is one of the holiest of Holy Days for the observing Jews. This is the day that every Jewish believer lives for. For on this day, the sins of Israel are said to be atoned by God.
Leviticus 23 tell us:
Atonement: Per Noah Webster Dictionary of 1828: 3. In theology, the expiation of sin made by the obedience and personal sufferings of Christ. Expiation means a redeeming, reparation, restitution; in this case, the erasing or redeeming, purchasing of a person’s sins for the year, pardoned by God through the sacrificial blood of the bull and goat in Levitiucs 16.
Each man representing his household would come into the Tabernacle, and later the Temple of God, and offer up their sacrifice. This sacrifice would atone or placate God’s righteous judgment on them for one year until the following Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur.
Kippur comes from the word KPR or כָּפַר— From Strong’s H3722. kaphar— Which means to cover over, pacify, make propitiation. In other words, to give a person grace or pardon for another year without God’s wrath being poured out on them…
Oscar Roca
There is story in both Talmuds, which tells of the scapegoats who were released as a symbol of God’s grace to the nation of Israel from 30-70 A.D. Each year, during the Day of Atonement, one goat was sacrificed, and another was sent out into the wilderness as a symbol of the nation’s sins. The High priest would tie a crimson or red string on the scapegoat, then send it away from the encampment. This scapegoat would be a symbol for the nation of Israel taking all of their sins away from them and into the wilderness. If the scapegoat came back, they would check the color of the string wrapped around it’s horn. If the string turned white in color, it meant that God had forgiven the nation of their sins. If it stayed red, that mean God had not. Another fascinating thing happened throughout the same years, the priest would cast lots with a type of token or coin. To make a long story short, the priest would cast lots from an urn (like water pitcher). If he picked L’HaShem on his right hand, that meant that God had forgiven Israel for that year. If the lot ended up on his left hand, that determined God had rejected the whole nation...
From 30 A.D. to 70 A.D., the string tied around the scapegoat’s horn came back red & the lot the priest would pick always ended up on his left hand! Meaning that God had rejected His people’s sacrifices for that year!
Talmud – Yoma 39a – 39b
What happened between that incredible period? Jesus was crucified, and a generation later, the Temple of Herod was destroyed in 70 A.D.
So for those forty years, God was telling a generation of Jews, His people, to come back to Him by believing in His Son Jesus, Messiah. YHWH’s incredible love and mercy for His people was evident. Because God is not willing that any should be punished eternally. (Isaiah 30:18, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:15 )
I was wondering how I would be explaining the application to this incredibly High Holy Day. As I was taking a break, I received a text from a young man in the LORD. He explained his anxiousness and also his regret of a couple of things he was struggling with. As I was praying before answering him, it hit me! Here is what I replied:
THE APPLICATION FOR THIS DAY OF ATONEMENT:
That is why you are antsy. It is the eternal conflict of the flesh warring with your spirit. Your spirit is hungry and malnourished. You will not stop being uneasy until you start fellowshipping with other like-minded souls. You have nothing to do with this world (Ephesians 5:11—2 Corinthians 6:14)
Let your spirit draw deep from the waters of Jesus’ life. Start today, do not wait, you’ll save your work by Prayer, Devos, and fellowship…then serving. Better yet, go and do something for your family. Write 10 things you can do today to serve others at work and family. They don’t have to be something “churchy” but something that will draw them to Christ.
Oscar Roca
Keep your eyes focused on God. This is where I believe some Christians fall short in teaching and discipling and explain what serving is.
Serving doesn’t just take place in church walls or church buildings. Serving others is getting up and focusing on others instead of ourselves. When we serve others, we stop focusing on our selfish, sinful self and focus on others the way Christ would help others.
First, by praying with God and sitting and listening; second by praying intensely for others’ needs. Praying is serving God first. Having communication with Him and Him alone before anything else. The other side of serving is sitting and listening to what God wants you to do each day (Matthew 14:13, Matthew 14:23, Luke 4:42, Luke 5:16).
Serving is getting up and making breakfast for somebody. Serving is listening to others when they are down and in a deep valley. Serving is praying for those people that need it most.
How do you serve as you go throughout the day? Become a servant to all at work, out in the world, and at home(Matthew 20:26, Matthew 20:28).
And don’t beat yourself up. We all fall short.
1 John 1:9— always seek His mercy. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
Just don’t allow the enemy to claim you as a pathetic weakling who can’t forgive himself for past mistakes and sins. Because that’s where the enemy wants you, in a dark cave, crawling and not moving for Christ. Start at work. Serve someone.
Especially in this exceptional day—The Day when Christ will come back and touch ground and Redeem His people Israel (Matthew 26:64 , Mark 13:26 , Luke 22:69 , Revelation 1:7). This is a solemn day where one can start over.
Start today. I know God will honor your petition if you come humbly before His throne and Cross. Just ask Him for a start in your spiritual walk in life ( Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 66:2, Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:3, Luke 18:13, Luke 18:14)
If you feel like you need to know more about God so that you can get deeper with your relationship with Him, or need to ask Jesus for forgiveness, here are a few weblinks to read through. They will answer your questions. You can also leave me a question if you can’t find what you are looking for. Start today, don;t wait. This special day is the day that Christ can pay an eternal ransom for your life:
