The Sin Offering and Make Atonement
The sin offering as stated in Leviticus 9. The prophets condemned sin at both the personal and national level. The sin offering pointed forward to the day when God will cleanse all sin with the Sacrifice of Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Make atonement in its various uses. This word can mean “to cover”, “to appease” or “to ransom”. In the scriptures it more commonly speaks of payment for sin. The sacrificial system of offerings are described as effecting atonement. The point is that these offerings gained the favor of God. And thus God removed the worshiper’s guilt. The sacrifice was presented as a substitute for the life of the offender. The sacrifice of an animal atoned for the offender’s sins and turned aside God’s wrath. Like the lambs offered to atone for the sins of the Israelites, Jesus’ life was offered as a substitute for our individual sins. His death turned away God’s wrath and atoned for sins. Romans 3:25
Procedures and Responsibilities
V-3 – Aaron is to enter the Holy Place with a young bull for a sin offering. Also a ram for a burnt offering. Aaron is to take from the flocks of the Israelites two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering.
Please read Verses 6 through 16 for complete details. Aaron presents the bull for a sin offering for himself and his family and household. Next he takes the two goats and places them before the LORD at the entrance of the meeting tent. Aaron then casts lots: One for the LORD and the other for the Azazel goat. He is to present the goat chosen by lot for the LORD and sacrifice it as a sin offering. The goat chosen by Lot for Azazel is to be presented alive before the LORD (V 20-22).
Aaron will lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the sins of the people – Israel’s wrong doings and rebellious acts. He is symbolically placing all their sins on the goat’s head and sending it away into the wilderness by a fit man. The goat now carries all the people’s sins into a desolate and far away land where it is to be released.
Also on this day of atonement all are to practice self-denial and do no work. For atonement was made on this day to cleanse the congregation. Thus all were clean from their sins before the LORD God. This day of atonement was and is today a day of total release from any physical labor – including household and food preparation. It is a time of self-denial, a day of fasting from evening to evening.
Understanding the Important Intent and Purpose Served by the Azazel Goat
The two goats symbolize two different aspects of atonement. “That which meets to the character and holiness of the Lord God and that which meets the need of the sinner as to removal of his/her Sins”. As Hebrew 10:4 states, “It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sin”. It is clearly understood the meaning of the sacrificed goat representing the work of the anointed one, Messiah Jesus Christ. There is disagreement and confusion as what the Azazel pictures. The correct understanding of this matter clearly illustrates the final conclusion for mankind’s sins.
In later Jewish theology, the Book of Enoch used the word, name, of one of the fallen angels – Azazel. A number of modern scholars insist that Azazel is a name because it is used with the preposition “for”. This idea comes from Babylonian Ritual. There is not a hint of demonology in the use of the Hebrew word Azazel. A better and correct understanding, “Az” can mean goat. The last part is from a verb azel that means “go away”. A simple designation for the goat to be taken away or the goat of departure or goat of removal.
The generally accepted idea or understanding is that the priest’s confession for Israel’s sins over the Azazel goat puts their sins on the goat, who takes them away, symbolically. It is believed the Azazel goat represents Satan – who influences or sways humans to sin and is thus partially responsible for humanity’s tendency to sin.
Expsitors Bible commentary remarks: “The two goats taken to bear the people’s sins, one was killed as a sin offering.” Christ bore our sins, in that He took upon himself our deserved death penalty. “The other was sent off into the desert wilderness to bear away the sins of the people – into an uninhabited place. The two goats thus symbolize both propitiation for sins by death and complete removal of the sins for which atonement was made.” By complete removal we are to understand never to be recalled.
Further Development and Clarification
The Azazel goat is also referred to as “Scapegoat”. A dictionary definition: A scapegoat usually means someone or thing who does not deserve accusations or physical suffering given to him or the situation. One who bears the blame for the mistakes of others.” Azazel, the scapegoat, dispatched on the DOA characterizes the animal itself. The goat that departs.
Rabbinical endogenous suggest the sense of the word implies a rugged or sharp place. In their long history, the Azazel goat was taken out some distance and pushed off a high cliff. For further consideration of Jewish traditions and how they conduct themselves in the days, several weeks leading up to and including atonement, see study paper “Analyzing Biblical Timelines from the Year 2001”:
- 7.2 – Days of Awe
- 7.3 – Jewish Traditions
- 7.5 – Redeemed Time
Another viewpoint is that some modern commentaries claim Azazel is the name of a demon inhabiting in the desert. The thinking goes Azazel appears to be the leader of rebellious angels who seduce mankind. In no culture, past or present, are scapegoats offered to demons.
A More Detailed Examination for the Two Goats
Leviticus 16:5 – “Aaron shall kill the goat for the sin offering which is for the sins of the people, their uncleanness and transgressions, for all their sins. In the Holy of Holiest, He shall sprinkle the blood.” A straightforward procedure that pictures symbolically the shed blood of Messiah who at some point would appear on earth as the true Son of God. Suffering great cruelty and shedding His blood unto death for the sake of all humanity. By this act, Messiah’s blood and death pays the death penalty for all our sins – past, present and future.
Leviticus 16:21 & 22 – The lots have been cast. “Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness of the Israelites. All their sins he shall confess them on the head of the goat, the sin-bearer and send it away into the wilderness.”
The laying on of hands “A symbolic act of dedication and consecration, ceremonial act used to invoke a divine blessing or establish for the purpose of sacrifice, ordination or to impart spiritual gifts.” Here the Azazel goat is selected to serve a specific purpose.
V-30 – The day of atonement is an annual event. “For it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you. You will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.” The DOA brings to final conclusion Christ’s works on our behalf. The two goats picture symbolically God’s acceptance of His Son’s death not only for reconciliation, but also to blot out all memory of our sins, never to be recalled. When Messiah Jesus Christ returns to earth to set his Kingdom, Atonement (day of) will once again be established. For all people and nations, in due time, will come to know and yield to the Son of the LORD God.
Brief Review and Concluding Remarks
The two goats were taken to bear the people’s sins. One was killed as a sin offering, reflecting Christ’s complete sacrifice. The other sent off into the wilderness to bear, to put away mankind’s sin, never to be found or in any way recovered, into an uninhabited desert. Thus symbolizing both propitiation for all sins by shed blood and death. Also the complete removal for all sins for which atonement was made.
Psalm 103: 12 and 13 – “As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us.”
V 13 – “Just as a father loves children, so the Lord loves those who esteem and worship Him, awe-filled respect and deepest reverence.”
Suggest reading all of Psalm 103. In the book of Micah, Chapter 7, God explains in the concluding verses that He forgives wickedness and the past rebellions of His chosen people, He constantly delights in mercy and loving kindness. “Yes, he casts all our sins into the depths of the sea. You (God) shall give truth to Jacob and loving kindness and mercy to Abraham and unto all nations and people.”