Leviticus 16:20 “When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat.
Commentary talks in today’s verses about folks wanting certainty about this act of atonement with the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat. I am reminded that in this life there is no certainty, there is only hope, which brings to mind Hebrews 11:1, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
Leviticus 16:21 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task.
For me, the absence of hope is dangerous and leads me to some really scary places. To combat this tendency, I lean heavily on Psalm 71:14, “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Do I know any of this for certain? No. Do I hope with all of my being? Absolutely.
Leviticus 16:22 The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.
Precious Savior, This life is impossible without hope as by the time I get to see You face-to-face to ask all the questions I have, either I will already know the answers or I won’t care any more. I believe in You with my whole heart, that You are good, that You are sovereign, that You are holy and loving and compassionate. Help me to live, always, in the glow of Your hope. Amen.
Leviticus 16:23 “Then Aaron is to go into the tent of meeting and take off the linen garments he put on before he entered the Most Holy Place, and he is to leave them there.
Have a blessed day.