How does Exodus 29:36 emphasize the importance of daily atonement for sin? The Text at a Glance “Each day you are to offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. You are to purify the altar by making atonement for it, and you are to anoint it to sanctify it.” (Exodus 29:36) Why a Bull Every Day? • Sin was not a once-a-year issue; it was a daily reality that needed daily addressing. • The bull—a costly, sizeable animal—underscored the seriousness of guilt before a holy God. • No “off day” existed in the priestly schedule; atonement had to keep pace with continual human failure (cf. Leviticus 4:3-12). Daily Sacrifice—Daily Awareness of Sin • The ritual bred constant sensitivity to sin’s presence and effect (Psalm 51:3). • By commanding “each day,” God highlighted that even yesterday’s sacrifice couldn’t cover today’s defilement (Lamentations 3:22-23). • Regular offerings trained Israel to see forgiveness not as an abstract concept but as an ongoing, lived experience. Sanctifying the Altar—Sanctifying the People • The altar itself needed cleansing; if the very instrument of worship required purging, how much more the worshipers (Isaiah 6:5)? • Anointing and sanctifying the altar mirrored what God desired in His people—set-apart holiness refreshed daily (Leviticus 20:7-8). Forward Look to the Perfect Priest • The never-ending cycle pointed forward to the One who would break it: “He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day… He sacrificed for sins once for all when He offered Himself.” (Hebrews 7:27) • Daily atonement under the Law highlighted humanity’s inability and magnified Christ’s sufficiency (Hebrews 10:1-4, 10). Living the Principle Today • Though Christ’s atonement is once-for-all, believers still practice daily confession to maintain unhindered fellowship (1 John 1:9). • Regular self-examination keeps the heart tender and the conscience clear (Psalm 139:23-24). • Continual gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice fuels obedience and sanctification (Romans 12:1). Key Takeaways • Exodus 29:36 stresses that sin is incessant and must be dealt with incessantly. • Daily sacrifices cultivated a lifestyle of repentance and dependence on God’s mercy. • The practice foreshadowed Jesus, whose single offering perfectly accomplishes what daily bulls only pictured. |
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