What is the meaning of Leviticus 16:10? But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat • Two identical goats were brought before the LORD; the lot determined which would die and which would carry away sin (Leviticus 16:7-9). In casting lots, the high priest recognized God’s sovereignty: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). • The word “scapegoat” points to substitution. One goat would symbolize the people—laden with guilt—yet be sent away instead of them. The pattern foreshadows Christ, “who knew no sin” yet was “made…sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21) and takes our iniquities like the servant of Isaiah 53:6. • By God’s design, innocence is chosen to bear guilt. The crowds once demanded the release of Barabbas while Jesus went to the cross (John 18:39-40), a tragic historical echo of this ritual exchange. shall be presented alive before the LORD • Unlike the first goat, which was slaughtered (Leviticus 16:9), this one remained alive and was brought into the holy presence of God. Life was spared so that life might be given back to the nation. • The living goat reminds us that atonement is not only about death but also about life restored. Jesus, “alive forevermore,” appears “in God’s presence for us” (Hebrews 9:24). • Our response mirrors the picture: “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1). Believers stand before God, alive because Another has died. to make atonement • Atonement means covering, reconciliation, the removal of the barrier of sin. God explained, “It is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11). • While the slain goat’s blood pointed to the cost, the scapegoat illustrated the result—sins carried away. Both images unite in Christ, who “entered the Most Holy Place once for all…having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). • “He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 2:2). The Day of Atonement looked ahead to the once-for-all work of Calvary. by sending it into the wilderness as the scapegoat • After the priest confessed Israel’s sins over the animal (Leviticus 16:21-22), the goat was led far from camp, never to return. The wilderness signified utter separation and removal. • Psalm 103:12 celebrates what the ritual pictured: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Micah 7:19 adds, “cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” • Jesus fulfilled this outside the city walls: “Jesus also suffered outside the gate to sanctify the people by His own blood” (Hebrews 13:11-13). Our sins are taken outside—and left there. summary Leviticus 16:10 paints a vivid, four-fold portrait of redemption: God chooses a substitute; the substitute stands living in His presence; atonement is firmly secured; sin is carried far away. Every stroke of the ritual points to Christ, the perfect and final Scapegoat, whose sacrifice removes guilt and opens the way for His people to live, forgiven and free, before the LORD forever. |
    |