Topical Bible: Under the Law Atonement: Necessary For: Propitiating God

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In the context of the Old Testament, the concept of atonement is central to the relationship between God and His people. Atonement, derived from the Hebrew word "kaphar," meaning "to cover," is the means by which reconciliation between a holy God and sinful humanity is achieved. Under the Mosaic Law, atonement was necessary to propitiate, or appease, God's righteous wrath against sin.

The Nature of God and Sin

The holiness of God is a fundamental attribute, as seen in passages such as Isaiah 6:3, where the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." God's holiness demands that sin be addressed and not overlooked. Sin, being a transgression of God's law, incurs His righteous judgment. As stated in Habakkuk 1:13, "Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing."

The Role of Sacrifices

Under the Law, sacrifices were instituted as a means of atonement. Leviticus 17:11 explains, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul." The shedding of blood was necessary to cover the sins of the people, symbolizing the life given in exchange for the sinner's life.

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was the pinnacle of the sacrificial system, as described in Leviticus 16. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for the sins of the nation. The blood of the sacrificed animals was sprinkled on the mercy seat, symbolizing the covering of the people's sins and the appeasement of God's wrath.

The Propitiatory Nature of Atonement

The concept of propitiation is integral to understanding atonement under the Law. Propitiation involves satisfying the demands of justice, thereby turning away wrath. In the sacrificial system, the blood of the sacrifice served as a propitiatory offering, appeasing God's wrath and allowing for reconciliation. This is evident in the repeated emphasis on the necessity of blood for atonement, as seen in Hebrews 9:22, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

Foreshadowing of Christ's Atonement

The sacrificial system under the Law foreshadowed the ultimate atonement accomplished by Jesus Christ. The sacrifices were a temporary measure, pointing to the perfect and final sacrifice of Christ. Hebrews 10:4 states, "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." Christ's atoning work on the cross fulfilled the requirements of the Law, providing a once-for-all propitiation for sin. Romans 3:25 declares, "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness."

Conclusion

The necessity of atonement under the Law highlights the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. Through the sacrificial system, God provided a means for His people to be reconciled to Him, foreshadowing the ultimate atonement through Jesus Christ. The concept of propitiation underscores the gravity of sin and the profound grace of God in providing a way for His wrath to be appeased and for sinners to be restored to fellowship with Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 32:30
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said to the people, You have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up to the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 23:27,28
Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation to you; and you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.
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2 Samuel 21:3
Why David said to the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and with which shall I make the atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?
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Library

Faith and Regeneration
... the worst man would be under the least law, and become ... quantity, and, in truth, we
should be under no rule at ... Do I accept his atonement as an atonement for me ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/faith and regeneration.htm

The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia.
... and to submit to the gentle law, of Jesus ... of the human mind, pointed out an atonement
in which ... show the unhappy persons to have been under demoniacal influence ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvii the mission of.htm

Jesus the Scapegoat.
... the doctrines of substitution and of atonement by vicarious ... elaborate contrivance
the sinner sat under a stage ... of our sins, magnified the law, illustrated and ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxiv jesus the scapegoat.htm