Several huge topics in today’s readings. Wow..
Read Leviticus 16-18
The concept of God being present just above the atonement cover within the Tabernacle is an amazing thought. God dwells in heaven, where angels and created beings offer up praises to him continuously. From His throne I am sure He can observe all creation..the parts we know about, and the parts that we can’t imagine. All human history is held in God’s hand, the beginning of time all the way to the end. The whole timeline is viewed as a single thread in God’s hand. That kind of power and authority hovering over an object in the middle of camp, separated from the people by only a heavy curtain….that’s hard to imagine.
Today, we are hesitant to allow nuclear reactors to be built in our areas. Prisons are frowned upon because of the potential danger they present. Both of those places are doubly and triply protected by safeguards, heavy walls, bars and alarm systems. And yet here is a power far greater than anything that the world has ever known and only a curtain separates it from the community.
Atonement could be offered once a year, by a certain person (high priest) and then only after he had performed several rituals precisely. If the high priest did not comply precisely, he was struck dead when he entered the most holy place. In that case, a new high priest would be elected, he would begin the process again…and when he entered the most holy place he could drag his predecessor out. This ritual was serious business for the nation. Unless the priest emerged victorious from the most holy place and then laid his hands on the goats head – all the sins of the people remained with them. The high priest must complete his job in order for the people to be forgiven.
Fast forward to Jesus hanging on the cross. His body was placed into the grave and the world held it’s breath. Would He return from beyond the curtain, or had death won a victory? Praise the Lord, Jesus reemerges victorious, and sins are removed from the people forever. The great High Priest has fulfilled his role, and now sins may be removed.
I find myself wondering what the purpose of the scapegoat was. Sins could have been forgiven as the first goat was killed, why the imagery of a goat heading out into the wilderness with sins on it’s head? What if the dumb thing comes back to camp?
Maybe it was to illustrate that sins are removed from the people by the sacrifice, but they aren’t atoned for. I mean, the sins aren’t erased out of existence by the blood sacrifice of an animal..that took the blood of Christ. (my mind wanders to a movie plot where all the goats that have been scapegoats breed and have evil children and then they all return to the camp and wreak havoc…)
Back to reality…When the Lord begins to discuss what is appropriate sexual behavior we should take note. Our society has maintained some of these ordinances because we recognize that they are genetically unhealthy. Sexual relations with close relatives produces diminished children. It’s interesting to note here that Egypt and Canaan both were practicing poor sexual practices. Homosexuality is one of those practices. Dysfunctional sexual desires isn’t anything new, this problem has been with us since Adam fell from grace. Depravity entered the human race and part of that depravity is expressed in deviant sexual behavior.
Society today can try and rename it if they like. They can decide that it’s okay, and pass laws that guarantee protection and benefits to those who practice it. They can even decide to put into prison anyone who speaks against homosexuality. It won’t change God’s Law. The Law stands, and those who violate it do so at their own peril. We are warned here that the land will “vomit out” those who accept detestable practices, and if we aren’t careful as a nation, then this very decree could become our epitaph.
Let the reader be forewarned.
Faithfully,
PR