Index of
Compass Articles

(#6) God Opens the Way:
ATONEMENT
(Leviticus 16:1-3)

The Barrier

The last article stressed that the Tabernacle is a gracious gift of God because it is the means by which God is present with us. When we see the Tabernacle the first thing it proclaims is "God is here in the midst of his people."

But the structure of the Tabernacle, and the regulations concerning it also call our attention to the great gulf between God and man. The separation of the structure into the courtyard, Holy Place and Most Holy Place, with curtains between these sections, are visible signs of this separation. The system of sacrifices and ritual cleansings are perpetual reminders of the gap that must be bridged for God's people to "draw near" to him in worship.

This distance exists first of all because God is the mighty King and Creator, high above his creatures in majesty and holiness. Even the seraphs, flaming with fearsome glory, cover their faces and feet before him (Isaiah 6:2). None can enter simply, blithely, into the presence of the Great King.

Thus the form of the Tabernacle reflects God's exalted position and character--set apart from his creatures and guards against dishonoring him. Whenever the people of Israel came to worship their God, they were reminded that He is the Most High, the Great King, to be "feared," reverenced, worshiped in awe by all of his creatures. ALL must humbly bow down before his throne.

In addition to this gulf between the Creator and his creatures there is the barrier caused by human rebellion against God. The Tabernacle not only separates God, 'enthroned in his Most Holy Place'from his creatures, but fences him in to prevent his contact with SINFUL people. This fencing in is important from BOTH sides. From God's side, the place where he dwells must be kept pure and holy, fit for the King. Provision must be made to prevent his holy place from being defiled by human sin.

From the other side, sinners themselves must be protected so that they are not destroyed. The curtains in the Tabernacle and the 'fence' around God's mountain (Ex 19:12-13) shield them from his judgment. Another protective barrier is the cloud of God's glory. It reveals, yet it also HIDES his glory. Further, when the high priest enters the Most Holy Place--God's "throneroom"--but once a year on the Day of Atonement, the smoke from the incense obscures his view, lest he die (Lev 16:13). Even when God grants Moses' request for a glimpse of his glory, he places him in the cleft of the rock on Sinai, and graciously covers Moses' eyes, so that he does not see his glory "head on" for that would mean certain death (Ex 33:20).

The Way In

But God does not simply erect barriers to shield his people. He provides a way for them to meet with him.

The Tabernacle-system of worship not only declares the problem; it sets forth the solution. It establishes a protocol for entering God's presence. The results when rebels violate it are swift and fearful, as Aaron's own sons discover (Leviticus 10:1-3). But, after this, God says, 'here is how you CAN come to me' (Lev.16:3) and not be destroyed. There IS a way in--a way God himself provides!

The Book of Leviticus explains this way in detail--in an elaborate system of regulations about sacrifices and ritual cleansings to provide "ATONEMENT". For the people to live in God's presence and worship him they must be atoned for.

But what does "atonement" DO? And how?

• atonement means forgiveness
  the sacrifices offered for atonement result in the sacrificer being forgiven for guilt and sin (Lev 4:20,26,35, 5:10,13,16,18; 6:7).
• atonement means cleansing
  the washings and associated rituals by which atonement is made for various illnesses and physical imperfections are said to purify or cleanse the people, and even to cleanse the tabernacle, which becomes unclean or "defiled" by contact with the people. (Lev 12:8, 14:18,53)

• atonement means the removal of sin
  the sacrifices of atonement "take away/remove" the people's sin and rebellion, and their offenses against God's holy things (cf.Isaiah 27:9)
• atonement means the removal of God's anger
  coming before God improperly, without atonement being made, or results in judgment--'fire coming out from God' (Lev 10:1-3, Num.16:35) and plagues leading to death, (Num. 16:46-50, 25:8-9)
  but when atonement is made, God's anger turns away (Numbers 25:1-13) his honor is satisfied (vv.11-13) This is God's
• Thus, atonement means that no plague will strike the people (Num.8:19)
  and God's glory can be revealed to the people (Lev.9:3-6)

• atonement involves substitution, a sacrifice "in behalf of" another.
• atonement is often said to be made by the blood of the sacrificed animal (Lev.6:30)

Throughout these laws, atonement is PERSONAL, It is concerned with the relationship between God and his people. "Uncleanness" is defined by contrast to God's holiness. Sin is a personal offense against God; atonement removes that offense and its consequences, restoring the relationship. Atonement is not the satisfaction of an abstract law. It is the satisfaction of a holy God, and displays zeal for God's honor (Num.25:11).

How does God provide?

§(Leviticus 1-7)
God establishes the means by which sin is atoned for through the blood of a substitute.

§(Leviticus 8-10)
God ordains a priesthood to offer sacrifices and ceremonially cleanse the people.

§(Leviticus 11-15)
God sets procedures for making and keeping people ritually "clean."

But God does much more than this.

Frequently in the OT God is himself said to "atone" for the sins of his people (Dt 32:43, Ezk 16:63, Psalm 65:3, 79:9). It is something they themselves cannot do.

God even provides the sacrifice.
"On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."
We see a glimmer of this when the Lord spares Abraham's beloved son, Isaac, and provides the sacrifice he required (Gen.22) Now God himself has provided the spotless sacrifice Lamb (1 Peter 1:19)--his own Beloved Son. Thus the barrier between God and sinners is removed, and we may draw near and worship (Eph.2:12-13).

More on atoning sacrifices and substitution (Horatio Bonar)

Putting it Into Practice

• One of the barriers between God and us is rooted in Creation; the other in the Fall. How do these differ? How do we reflect each in the way we worship?
• How are we tempted to make too little of the barriers? How might we make too much of them?
• "Sin" is not an abstraction, but a personal offense against God. How do we acknowledge this fact?
• Should we always include a time for "confession" of our sins in public worship? If not, why not? If so, what form(s) should it take?
• God "forgives our sin AND cleanses us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). What is the relationship between these two pictures? How is each reflected in our worship?
• The Levitical sacrifices follow a precise order and do not allow for any detail to be omitted. Is there still a place for such precision in our "order of worship"? If so, where? If not, why not?
• (see Pathways Service #6)

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