Daily Bible Reading – July 2023, God’s Saving Word: Mercy and ForgivenessSýnishorn

July 13

Introduction

Yesterday’s reading described the ritual of the high priest sacrificing a bull for his sins and those of his family, and a goat for the sins of the people. Today’s reading describes a ritual that involved sending into the desert a goat that will carry away the sins of the people. The priest was instructed to lay his hands on the goat’s head while confessing all the sins the people have committed, thereby transferring the people’s sins to the goat. The goat is chosen for Azazel, which means “fierce god,” and is associated with the name of a demon believed to inhabit the desert. The name has been divided into two words in Hebrew, ‘ez’azel, (the goat that goes away) from which the term “scapegoat” is derived.

Scripture Reading

Leviticus 16:20-34

Today’s Key Verse: Leviticus 16:31

That day is to be a very holy day, one on which they fast and do no work at all. These regulations are to be observed for all time to come.

Reflect

The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar. According to today’s reading, how are the people to observe this holy day? In what ways are holy days observed within your community of faith?

Pray

Merciful and loving God, I come before your throne of grace with a repentant heart and lay my sins before you. Cleanse me of my sins and restore me to a right relationship with you. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

2 Samuel 9:1-13: King David shows kindness to a member of Saul’s family.