Leviticus 16:6 “Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household.
I’m sure I knew that the term scapegoat was originally used in this context and meant, quite literally, the goat that escaped death and was sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying the sins of the community, but when I read this passage, all I can see is the modern meaning, which, according to Google means: “a person or group unfairly blamed for the mistakes, problems, or misdeeds of others”.
Leviticus 16:7-8 Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord and the other for the scapegoat.
And I can’t help but think that a lot of people who use the Bible to blame and hate and ostracize are using the Bible as a scapegoat, unfairly blaming the words in the Bible for the way the person chooses to interpret and use those words. It is imperative that we remember God’s heart.
Leviticus 16:9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering.
Precious Savior, You are the epitome of love. You left the 99 to find the one lost soul. It hurts my heart that people use Your word to justify hatred and ostracization of Your children. Help us to be honest with ourselves about how we use Your Word. Help us to be true to Your heart when we do so. Help us, Jesus. Amen.
Leviticus 16:10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.
Have a blessed day.