Leviticus 16 is the center of the Pentateuch, and so the foundation of the whole Bible. It began recalling the sober scene of the death of the disobedient sons of Aaron. The whole Bible has to do with this Day, because the center of the Bible is Jesus Christ. The death of Christ wasn’t out of disobedience but perfect submission to his Father because of us sons of disobedience.

On the first Sunday of February every year, people gather around for the biggest event in America. This event is so huge that an estimated 100+ million viewers participate in one way or another. There’s face-painting, pizza-ordering, snack-gobbling, hooting and hollering. On one end, there are high levels of frustration, anger, curses, and hopelessness, while on the other end there are equally high levels of happiness, contentment, blessings, and fulfilled hope. It’s America’s religion, and many Americans would never dare to neglect this assembly. On a similar level of importance, but in ancient Israel, is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It was ancient Israel’s religious center, and no Israelite saint would ever dare to neglect this assembly.

The thrust of the Pentateuch is to dwell with God. God’s creatures fell into sin, but through God’s grace, mankind is restored to God, regaining access into God’s blessed presence. In this brief series of articles, we’ve been learning the logic of Leviticus, identifying key moments and themes of the book. We’re not delving into the details of the book as much as we’re viewing the big picture through the types and shadows, always keeping Christ in view. The book of Leviticus is the theological and literary center of the Pentateuch. Leviticus 16 is the theological and literary center of Leviticus. What this means is that Leviticus 16 is the theological and literary center of the Pentateuch. And because this chapter is foundational to all of the Bible, it’s the center of our life. Since all of Scripture speaks of Christ, we can say that Jesus Christ, being the center of redemption and revelation, has appeared once for all time to put away sin by the atoning sacrifice of himself.

The Day of Death

The process is elaborate and detailed. However, one way to summarize the process is that it involves an entrance rite, a cleansing rite, and an elimination rite, all of which we’ve seen in chapters 1-7. Aaron, and Israel through his representation, enters God’s presence, is cleansed, and his and Israel’s sins are eliminated by means of atonement (sacrifice) and exile (scapegoat). Notice that the Lord is speaking to Moses after Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, died (vv. 1-2). God’s instructions for the Day of Atonement occur on the same day these men died. Before the Lord God instructs Moses about the process of the Day of Atonement, he sets the tone: Complete holiness. In effect, he is saying, “You can’t just come into my presence and do whatever you want. You come when and how I say.” Aaron’s life depends on when and how he comes. So, he comes once a year, and he comes through the blood-paved path: sacrifices and scapegoat.

God presses the weight of his holiness and the need for atonement upon his people. Every day we don’t reckon with God’s holiness is a day we don’t live coram Deo.

Read More