Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. Leviticus 16:15
One part of the tabernacle was the Ark of the Covenant. Think of the Ark as a chest. On top of the ark is a mercy seat flanked by two angels made of gold. Inside the ark are the tablets with the commandments (written by the hand of God and given to Moses), Aaron’s rod (likely the one used as part of trying to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go), and a pot of manna (the bread that rained down from heaven daily to provide nutrition for the Israelites while in the desert). A way to remember God’s commands, power, and provision. This is where God will meet His people and where the sacrifices will be made for the forgiveness of sins. A major theme of the book of Leviticus in the Bible is HOLINESS and being SET APART. God’s kingdom is different than the world, requiring acknowledgment and payment for sins, and then a turn toward holiness. But the law itself and our inability to follow it demonstrates our lack of holiness on our own. The temporary solution is a very intricate and detailed sacrificial system that is set in motion for the forgiveness of sins and giving thanks to God. Leviticus lays out a sort of priest handbook for oversight of the temple and these sacrifices. But they are never enough. Sacrifices have to be made year after year… UNTIL Jesus comes and becomes the final and perfect sacrifice of bloodshed for sin and reconciliation. Questions: Why was it important for God’s people to be set apart? Often God will ask the Israelites to build something or save something or do something to help them remember important events and truths about who He is. What are some things you have created or saved to help you remember something special?
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