Subscription Lists

Today's message introduces a word that is rather common in the English language and which has a direct but perhaps somewhat enigmatic connection to the mercy seat and the tabernacle. The word is scapegoat. We will explore the origins of this phrase and the connection which it has to mercy and to the mercy seat.

“And he shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats as a sin offering, and one ram as a burnt offering. Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. He shall take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness. And Aaron shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull as the sin offering which is for himself. Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil. And he shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die. He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. (Leviticus 16.5-14).

As noted in the text just quoted, the scapegoat (literally, “the goat that departs”) was released into the wilderness. Symbolically this goat bore the sins of the people as he went away into the wilderness on Israel's annual day of atonement (Yom Kippur). Connected with the release of the scapegoat was the sprinkling of blood in the holy of holies by the High Priest. Wrapped up in all of this was atonement for the sins of the people. The mercy seat itself was a central part of this ceremony as it was specifically mentioned as one of the items upon which the blood of atonement was to be sprinkled. Hence the mercy seat was part and parcel with atonement and its attendant rites and ceremonies.

From these facts it is evident that mercy on God's part includes the greatest of favors, namely the forgiveness of sins. When we read of God being merciful, we need to understand that His Sovereignty is implied by such a statement. He not only has the ability to forgive sins, He has the will and heart to do so! It was in this vein that the Psalmist wrote, “LORD, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.” (Psalm 41.4). The Hebrews writer in speaking of the Christ said, “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2.17). God the Father is merciful and the Son also came with the same intent and merciful heart of the Father. Sovereignty is implied by Mercy!

Questions:

1. What was the scapegoat?

2. What did the sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat have to do with atonement?

3. Who can forgive sins? Who defines sin? Who determines the terms of forgiveness? Who determines if the terms of forgiveness have been met? How does all of this relate to Sovereignty?

4. Only the High Priest could approach the literal mercy seat. When Jesus came, He came in the spiritual role of a High Priest but He was not a descendant of Levi and Aaron. Who made Him High Priest? How significant is that in connection with the theme of mercy?

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

A Lot Of Salt