LEVITICUS 16 – THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
- Pr Enos Mwakalindile
- Jul 28
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Drawing Close to God: Visit the Leviticus, Look to Christ
Is there a way to remove all the impurities of the heart and restore a close relationship with God on one special day of mercy?
1. Origin and Significance of the Day of Atonement
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), meaning "to cover sins with blood" as a means of purification and restoration of fellowship, is the culmination of the book of Leviticus. This is the day set apart to sanctify the temple, the priests, and all the people. It demonstrates that although a Holy God dwells in the midst of an unholy people, He nevertheless provides a way of purification and atonement so that His presence may continue among them. It is an invitation to live close to God in purity and faithfulness. It is also part of God's plan to restore the entire world to righteousness and holiness through the atonement completed in Christ.
Summary: God seeks to dwell with His people without destroying them because of their sins, so He provides a special annual way of purification to restore fellowship. See also Hebrews 9:11–12.
2. Chapter Structure and Message of the Day of Atonement
This chapter is divided into three main sections:
Preparation of the High Priest (16:1–10)
Work of Atonement in the Most Holy Place and at the Altar (16:11–28)
Sabbath of Rest and Humiliation (16:29–34)
The temple was seen as a microcosm of the entire world. The sins of the people were seen to affect even the sanctuary, requiring annual purification. The Day of Atonement was like a reset button for the accumulated defilement so that God could continue to dwell among His people.
Summary: The whole earth belongs to God and is like His sanctuary, and when sin enters, it disrupts His beautiful order of life (Psalm 24:3–4).
3. The Rite of Atonement and its Fulfillment in the New Testament
3.1 Bull and Goats for Sin (Leviticus 16:3–19)
Sacrifice of the bull for the High Priest: A bull was offered first for the sins of the High Priest and his household (Leviticus 16:6, 11). This teaches that even spiritual leaders are not perfect and need forgiveness. It's like a large car engine that needs maintenance before it can travel; so too, leaders need purification before they can lead others. In the New Testament, Christ, who was without sin, did not need a bull but offered Himself for all (Hebrews 7:27).
Goat for the people's sin: The Lord's goat was slaughtered, and its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat and at the altar (Leviticus 16:15–19). Like filth defiling the temple – deadly sin needed to be covered by blood to purify and continue His presence among His people. Blood represented the life of the sinless offered so that repentant sinners might live in God's presence (Leviticus 17:11). The New Testament explains that Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary Himself, as High Priest, with His own blood, making a way for His people to enter there and obtain true and eternal purification (Hebrews 9:12-14; 10:19-22).
Summary: Everyone needs God's forgiveness, and now through Jesus, who entered the heavenly sanctuary, the way of true forgiveness and purification has been opened to all (Romans 3:23–24).
3.2 The Scapegoat (Leviticus 16:20–22)
Goat for removing sin: The priest laid his hands on the goat, confessed all the sins of the people, and then the goat was released into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:21–22). This is an example of carrying away filth and discarding it, like removing garbage from a city so it is seen no more. It's a picture of our sins being removed far from us, as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). The New Testament sees Christ as the one who bears the sins of the world (John 1:29) – taking our burden and removing our punishment.
Summary: God not only forgives but also removes the burden of our sins. Read also John 1:29.
3.3 The High Priest in Linen Garments (Leviticus 16:4, 23–24)
Garment of humility: The High Priest removed his splendid garments and put on simple white linen (Leviticus 16:4, 23-24). It's an example of a leader setting aside personal honor and splendor, similar to a worker taking off a suit and putting on work clothes to serve others. This signifies humility and surrender, a principle promoted by the New Testament in Christ who humbled Himself and became a servant (Philippians 2:5–8).
Summary: True service requires humility. Read also Philippians 2:5–8.
3.4 Sabbath of Rest and Humiliation (Leviticus 16:29, 31)
Sabbath of rest and self-denial: All the people were commanded to "afflict their souls," meaning to fast and humble themselves, and to rest (Leviticus 16:29, 31). It's like setting down a heavy burden and resting to gain new strength. Fasting showed repentance and dependence on God (Isaiah 58:6-7), and rest showed acceptance that the work of purification was accomplished by God alone.
Resting in salvation and avoiding sinful desires: In the New Testament, this rest is akin to the spiritual rest found in Christ (Hebrews 4:9–10). Since Jesus has entered the heavenly sanctuary and opened the way for His people into God's presence (Hebrews 10:19–22), we are called to live a life of self-denial from sinful pleasures, demonstrating by our actions that we have accepted His purification and spiritual rest.
Summary: True atonement resulting in purification and restoration requires a heart ready to humble itself and receive God's mercy. Read also Matthew 5:3–6.
4. Revelation of the Day of Atonement in History and Prophecy
Leviticus 16 gives us a picture of God's plan for the purification of the entire world:
The temple is a metaphor for the entire earth as God's dwelling place: The whole earth is the place of God's presence, recalling Psalm 24:1-2 that "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
The High Priest represents Christ who offers himself for His people: As the High Priest entered the sanctuary with blood, so Christ offered His life for all humanity (Hebrews 9:11-12).
The scapegoat carries our sins away from us: This is a sign of sin being completely removed, as it is written "he has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12).
Sabbath of rest and humiliation: While the shed blood brought the priest and Israel to the mercy seat and the goat sent into the wilderness carried away sins; on that day, the people were called to rest and humble themselves by fasting (Leviticus 16:29, 31). This was a sign of abandoning sinful pleasures and receiving the joy of being accepted by God, fulfilled in God's people who receive Jesus as the sacrifice that takes away sin (John 1:29) and the High Priest who brings them to God (Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 10:19–22).
Summary: The entire trajectory of history concerns Christ, restoring creation to the Creator while removing sin from God's dwelling place, fulfilling what was symbolized by the Day of Atonement.
5. Application to Christian Life
Let our hearts be purified: As pure water removes dirt from a stained vessel, Christ has completely cleansed our sins; now we are called to live without guilt and shame (Hebrews 10:22).
Humble service: As a fruit-laden tree bows under the weight of its harvest, so too are we called to stop seeking glory and to dedicate ourselves to love, as the High Priest laid aside his honor for service (Mark 10:45).
Gospel rest: Like a bird resting on a sturdy branch after a storm, true rest is found only in the completed work of Christ, not in our struggles to make a living (Matthew 11:28–29).
Self-assessment questions:
What heart obstacles do you need to release to God? Why not let the wind of God's grace blow away unreasonable fears and unprofitable grudges?
How will you humble yourself in your service? Lower the shoulders of pride and walk in the path of love and true service.
Do you know the true rest found in Christ? Rest in Him like a child with its mother, enjoying the arms of grace that gently embrace you.
6. Conclusion
Leviticus 16 teaches us that God does not take sin lightly, but in His mercy, He has provided a way to restore the sinner and remove sin. The Day of Atonement was a symbol of what Christ has eternally accomplished. The essence of the law is God's mercy dealing with sin so that His presence may continue among His people and the entire world can share in this atonement.
Summary: God calls us to live in holiness, humility, and the rest of His love. Read also John 14:27.
7. Final Blessing (Benediction)
May the Lord purify you as a cleansed tabernacle, cover you with His grace as the heavens cover the earth, and enable you to live in His rest and purity every day of your life. Amen.
8. Comments and Fellowship
We welcome your comments, reflections, and testimonies on how this lesson has touched you. Join the discussion and shared fellowship through the maisha-kamili.com platform or ongoing study groups. Your participation is part of our shared journey of growth in Christ.
9. Next Lesson
Leviticus 17 – Blood and Life: Why does God say "life is in the blood," and what does it mean for our salvation and daily life of faith?
10. Annotated Bibliography
Jacob Milgrom, Leviticus 1–16 (Anchor Yale Bible) – A detailed commentary on the laws of atonement and worship in Leviticus.
L. Michael Morales, Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord? – Teachings on the theme of the temple and the presence of God as the foundation of atonement.
John H. Walton, The Lost World of the Torah – A cultural and textual perspective on the laws of the Old Testament.
Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets – Spiritual and prophetic explanations of the sacrificial system and its spiritual meaning.
N.T. Wright, The Day the Revolution Began – An understanding of the cross and atonement in the context of the entire Bible.
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