The Day of Atonement

The LORD appointed an annual holy day when the contamination caused by the sins of the people would be cleansed from the tabernacle, and the sins of God's people would be removed from them.

Yom Kippur had arrived. Ahira watched nervously as he waited to do the task for which he had been chosen.

Yom Kippur—Day of Atonement. Such a unique concept. Ahira knew that this first Day of Atonement was to be followed by many, many more. Once a year, they were not to work and were to go without eating to show their sorrow for their sins.

He watched as Aaron presented two goats to the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, and one was chosen to die. Aaron turned and motioned to Ahira, who quickly approached Aaron and took the rope of the other goat. He then stepped back, pulling the goat with him, and continued to watch.

Aaron slit the throat of the first goat, and his son caught the blood in the bowl. Then Aaron took the bowl into the Tent of Meeting. Ahira could no longer see Aaron but knew what was happening inside the tent.

Aaron would open the veil and enter the Most Holy Place, which would only happen on this day each year. Once inside, Aaron would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat and in front of it. He had to do this to purify the Most Holy Place, which was contaminated by the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites.

Aaron stepped back out of the tent. Ahira breathed in sharply and realized that he had been holding his breath. He watched as Aaron now sprinkled blood around the Tent of Meeting. This, too, needed to be purified because it sat every day in the midst of their uncleanness. Finally, Aaron approached the altar and purified it, too, with the blood. In fact, the law required that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

Now, Aaron approached Ahira. He realized it was time for his part. He stood firm with the second goat.

Ahira watched as Aaron laid both hands on the head of the goat. His mouth was moving, but the words—the groaning—were barely audible. Ahira knew that Aaron was confessing over this goat the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites. He confessed all their sins and put them on the goat’s head. Not all could see, but Ahira noticed the tears streaming down Aaron’s cheeks. Ahira, moved by the scene and sensing its importance not only for Israel but also for himself, felt his own tears coursing down his cheeks. Then Aaron rose, looked at Ahira, and nodded.

Ahira led the goat out of the courtyard. Everyone watched solemnly as he walked the goat to the edge of the camp. Ahira continued walking out into the wilderness. How far should he go? Ahira wasn’t sure, but he knew he was to take the goat into the wilderness and release it. He walked for several hours. Finally, he stopped, knelt down, and untied the rope from the goat’s neck. He ran his fingers along its back, then gave it a pat and commanded, “Go on! Go!”

He watched as the goat bounded up a hill and down the other side, out of sight, carrying on itself all their sins. Ahira stood there, looking out over the wilderness where the goat had gone. After a while, he lifted his eyes toward heaven and breathed a prayer of thanks to God for providing a way for him—for all of Israel—to be made right with Himself. Then Ahira turned around and headed back to camp.