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The Day of Atonement: Yom Kippur
- Janelle Taveras
- Oct 2
- 3 min read
Day 10 – Oct 2 🕍
Theme: The Day of Atonement📖 Scripture Text: Leviticus 23:26-28
“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 27 ‘Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. 28 And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God.’”
🙏 End this fast with gratitude—Jesus is our perfect atonement and High Priest!
Today marks the observance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, when Jewish people around the world fast from sunset to nightfall. 🙏 This is the most solemn day of the year—a day to “afflict the soul” (Lev. 16:31) and make atonement for sins once a year (Lev. 16:34).
On Rosh Hashanah, God writes the events of the upcoming year in the “Book of Life.” 📝 Over the next ten days (the Days of Awe), it is possible to plead for mercy from God and from others. Even what is written can be changed through repentance and prayer.
🐐 The Ancient High Priest and the Sacrificial System
Leviticus 16 gives us detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement:
Two goats were used, their roles determined by lot (Lev. 16:8).
One goat represented the Lord and was sacrificed for sin (Lev. 16:9). This pointed forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate sin offering for the world. 🌎✝️
The second goat, often called the scapegoat or Azazel, represented Satan and carried the sins of the people into the wilderness (Lev. 16:10, 21-22).
This ceremony foreshadowed the eternal defeat of evil:
Revelation 20:1-3 — “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand… he cast him into the bottomless pit… so that he should deceive the nations no more…”
Jesus bore our sins on the cross, while Satan will bear the blame for sin’s deception and will be removed from the world scene. 💪
✝️ Jesus as High Priest and Perfect Sacrifice
Sinless High Priest: Unlike the earthly high priest who needed cleansing (Lev. 16:4-6; Hebrews 5:1-3), Jesus was sinless (Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:26-28).
Ultimate Sacrifice: Jesus’ death fulfilled the sacrificial system (Hebrews 9:13-14).
Hebrews 10:4: “Because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
Hebrews 10:8-10: God sets aside the old sacrifices to establish the perfect sacrifice—Jesus Christ’s body, once and for all.
His sacrifice allows believers to approach God’s throne continually (Hebrews 4:14-16), casting out the enemy now and securing atonement for all who believe. 🙌
🕊️ Observing the Day with Fasting
Leviticus 23:27: The Israelites were commanded to afflict their souls—a 24-hour fast to humble themselves before God.
Psalm 35:13: David humbled himself through fasting.
Matthew 6:16: Fasting is not to display righteousness to others; it is for God’s glory. ✨
Zechariah 7:5: Fasting represents humility, repentance, and obedience.
Fasting symbolizes our need to seek God, humble ourselves, and practice self-control as we draw near to Him. 🙏
🌟 Key Takeaways
1️⃣ The Day of Atonement reminds us that sin requires atonement, fulfilled once for all in Jesus Christ.
2️⃣ Jesus is both our High Priest and perfect sacrifice.
3️⃣ Satan is the scapegoat, destined for removal, while Jesus remains with His people forever (Hebrews 13:5).
4️⃣ Fasting is an expression of repentance, humility, and obedience, pointing us toward God’s mercy and grace.
John 3:16 — “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 💖
Today, let us reflect on the atoning work of Christ, embrace repentance, and rejoice in the salvation freely offered to all who believe. 🙏✨
To join the Fasting Program, click the link below.
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