I offer here some thoughts on the OT ritual of atonement, Yom Kippur. The background to this is the more general meaning of offerings – korban – which is “to draw near”. The rationale and purpose for the sacrificial system was to make it possible for the holy God to dwell among His people, and for the people to be able to approach Him in fellowship. It’s ultimately about reconciliation for the sake of communion.
On the day of atonement there were two goats used in the ritual: one for YHWH, and one for Azazel.
- The goat for YHWH is often related to removing the penalty of sin. This goat was the source of the cleansing blood, which has the power of new life. The blood is applied to the tabernacle and its furnishings, to cleanse it, so that it will be an acceptable dwelling place for God – so that He can continue to abide with His people. It cleanses both from impurities ( בְּנֵ֣י ) and from transgressions ( וּמִפִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם ), thus dealing with all sins ( חַטֹּאתָ֑ם) (Lev 16:16). The generalized meaning is that the blood sanctifies the means of communion with God, thus enabling reconciliation. Under the new covenant, this is fulfilled in the application of Christ’s blood to cleanse and sanctify each of us, so that God in His Spirit can dwell within us. This goat was offered up to YHWH, in the burning of the visceral fat (suet), as specified in Leviticus 16:25. This fat was considered the most valuable and inner-most part of the animal. It therefore belongs to YHWH. We should probably recognize a connection between these inward parts and what Paul refers to as the inner man (Rom 7:21-23; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 3:16). See also Psalm 51:6, where He desires truth in the inward parts. The rising smoke of the offering represents an ascent into heaven, to YHWH; it is also a transformation from things that are seen to things unseen. This is fulfilled in Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, and in our new self, to be raised up in Christ, destined for eternal communion with God.
- The goat for Azazel is often related to removing the guilt of sin. Azazel was the name later used for a personal goat-demon of the wilderness (a parallelism with the “goat for YHWH”). Note the reference to goat-demons in Leviticus 17:7. It represents the old-self, of sin, united with Christ, and condemned in the flesh. Other examples of being handed over to Satan for destruction are found in Romans 1:24,26,28; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20. The consequent death and destruction is inherent in the self-destructiveness of sin. The sinner desires to flee from God, from God’s presence and protection, and this judgment is a releasing, or loosing, allowing the sinner to flee and to self-destruct (see prior blog “The God Who Polarizes”). This goat takes sins far away, outside the camp, outside the holy precincts of God’s people and covenant. It represents the transfer of sin to the old-self, for subsequent banishment and destruction, thus purifying the new-self. It is expiation.
We should thus regard our “old self” (Ephesians 4:22-24) as being in Christ the scapegoat, taking on and removing all sins. This is uniting with Him in death. And we should regard our “new self” as being in Christ the sacrificed goat, receiving His cleansing and life-giving blood, and offered up to God. This is uniting with Him in life.