he great day of atonement. (1-14) The sacrifices on it, The
scape-goat. (15-34)
Verses 1-14: Without entering into particulars of the sacrifices on the
great day of atonement, we may notice that it was to be a
statute for ever, till that dispensation be at an end. As long
as we are continually sinning, we continually need the
atonement. The law of afflicting our souls for sin, is a statue
which will continue in force till we arrive where all tears,
even those of repentance, will be wiped from our eyes. The
apostle observes it as a proof that the sacrifices could not
take away sin, and cleanse the conscience from it, that in them
there was a remembrance made of sin every year, upon the day of
atonement, (Heb 10:1,3). The repeating the sacrifices, showed
there was in them but a feeble effort toward making atonement;
this could be done only by offering up the body of Christ once
for all; and that sacrifice needed not to be repeated.
Verses 15-34: Here are typified the two great gospel privileges, of the
remission of sin, and access to God, both of which we owe to our
Lord Jesus. See the expiation of guilt. Christ is both the Maker
and the Matter of the atonement; for he is the Priest, the High
Priest, that makes reconciliation for the sins of the people.
And as Christ is the High Priest, so he is the Sacrifice with
which atonement is made; for he is all in all in our
reconciliation to God. Thus he was figured by the two goats. The
slain goat was a type of Christ dying for our sins; the
scape-goat a type of Christ rising again for our justification.
The atonement is said to be completed by putting the sins of
Israel upon the head of the goat, which was sent away into a
wilderness, a land not inhabited; and the sending away of the
goat represented the free and full remission of their sins. He
shall bear upon him all their iniquities. Thus Christ, the Lamb
of God, takes away the sin of the world, by taking it upon
himself, (Joh 1:29). The entrance into heaven, which Christ made
for us, was typified by the high priest's entrance into the most
holy place. See (Heb 9:7). The high priest was to come out
again; but our Lord Jesus ever lives, making intercession, and
always appears in the presence of God for us. Here are typified
the two great gospel duties of faith and repentance. By faith we
put our hands upon the head of the offering; relying on Christ
as the Lord our Righteousness, pleading his satisfaction, as
that which alone is able to atone for our sins, and procure us a
pardon. By repentance we afflict our souls; not only fasting for
a time from the delights of the body, but inwardly sorrowing for
sin, and living a life of self-denial, assuring ourselves, that
if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. By the
atonement we obtain rest for our souls, and all the glorious
liberties of the children of God. Sinner, get the blood of
Christ effectually applied to thy soul, or else thou canst never
look God in the face with any comfort or acceptance. Take this
blood of Christ, apply it by faith, and see how it atones with
God.
he great day of atonement. (1-14) The sacrifices on it, The
scape-goat. (15-34)