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Bible Pathways - Feb. 7, 2008

 

February 7

Leviticus 16

Highlights In Today's Reading:

Three spiritual truths stand out in today's Bible reading — Atonement, Sacrifice, and Holiness. PTL — learn how Jesus fulfills them all! The Laws of Atonement and Sanctification teach: Ye shall be holy, for I am holy (11:44; compare I Peter 1:16). As we recall, the voice of Abel's blood cried out to God (Genesis 4:10) saying: The life of the flesh is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11).

The Day of Atonement was the most important day in the He brew calendar. On that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. It shall be a Sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever (16: 30-32).

In addition, on this day, two goats were brought for the corporate sin offering. The high priest received them at the Tabernacle Door where he cast lots to select one to be sacrificed and the other to be released into the desert. The first was sacrificed as a sin offering (16:9) and the secondwas the scapegoat (16:26). The peoples' sins for the past year were transferred to this scapegoat by the high priest laying hands on the goat. It was then led into the wilderness beyond the camp. It then departed from human view, symbolically carrying the sins of the congregation away.

The sacrificed goat represents the sufficiency of a blood sacrifice for it is the blood that maketh an atonement (17:11). . . . Without shedding of blood is no remission (of sin) (Hebrews 9:22). The scapegoat represents the fact that all our sins are forgiven and forever removed as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103: 12). In the New Testament the blood of Jesus Christ . . . cleanseth us from all sin (I John 1:7).

Not realizing this fact, many Christians continue to pray for God to forgive them many times and continue to carry the unbearable guilt of past sins. He does not want us to carry the guilt of confessed sins. In fact, it is an insult to God as it infers we don't really believe He has forgiven us.

We need to realize that these two goats represent the two-fold purpose of our Lord's death on the cross. Our sins are forgiven and forever removed from God's sight. Our peace and fellowship with God are restored by the blood of Christ. Believe His Word: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

Thought for Today:

Many have confessed their sinful past lives. Real peace comes in knowing that through the blood of Jesus our past no longer counts against us. PTL!

Christ Revealed:

Through two goats used on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:8). The slaying of the first goat typifies that our peace with God was restored by the blood of Christ (Rev. 5:9).

Word Studies:

16:12 censer =incense holder; 16:19 hallow it =dedicate it only for God; 16:29 stranger =alien; sojourneth =stays, lives temporarily; afflict you souls =humble yourselves; 17:4 cut off =excommunicated; 18:18 vex =irritate, to be a rival to; 18:20 carnally =adultery; 18:21 seed =descendants; 18:25 visit the iniquity =bring judgment for its sins.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The Arabic, English, and Spanish International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Thelma M. Gryskiewicz • Staff: Bernice Rathbone • Government Officials: Rep. Richard (Doc) Hastings (WA) and Sen. Herbert Kohl (WI) • Country: Cambodia (12 million) in Southeast Asia • Major languages: Khmer and French • Confused and unsettled at this time • 88% Buddhist; 3% animism and spirit worship; 2% Muslim; .6% Roman Catholic/Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Remember that God hears and answers our prayers (Isaiah 65:24).

Optional Reading: Mark 10

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 118:24



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