Topical Bible: Under the Law Atonement by Priests Alone

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Introduction

In the Old Testament, the concept of atonement is central to the relationship between God and His people. Under the Mosaic Law, atonement was primarily facilitated through the priesthood, specifically the Levitical priests, who acted as mediators between God and the Israelites. This entry explores the role of priests in the atonement process, as outlined in the Scriptures, and the theological implications of this system.

The Role of Priests in Atonement

The priesthood, established through Aaron and his descendants, was integral to the sacrificial system instituted by God. The Book of Leviticus provides detailed instructions on how priests were to conduct sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), a pivotal event where the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for himself and the entire nation of Israel. The Berean Standard Bible states, "He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the veil, into the Holy of Holies" (Leviticus 16:15).

Sacrificial System

The sacrificial system was a divinely ordained means of maintaining holiness and purity among the Israelites. Various offerings, such as burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings, were prescribed for different transgressions and impurities. The priests were responsible for performing these sacrifices according to the precise instructions given by God. Leviticus 4:20 emphasizes the priest's role: "And the priest shall make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven."

The High Priest as Mediator

The high priest held a unique position as the primary mediator between God and the people. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would perform a series of rituals to cleanse the sanctuary and the people from their sins. This included the offering of a bull for his own sins and a goat for the sins of the people. The high priest's actions symbolized the removal of sin and the restoration of fellowship with God. Hebrews 9:7 reflects on this practice: "But only the high priest entered the inner room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance."

Theological Implications

The system of atonement by priests alone underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. It highlights the necessity of a mediator to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. The priestly role foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who offers a once-for-all atonement through His sacrifice on the cross. The Old Testament priesthood serves as a type, pointing to the perfect and eternal priesthood of Christ, as articulated in the New Testament.

Conclusion

The atonement system under the Mosaic Law, with its reliance on the priesthood, reveals the depth of God's provision for His people and the foreshadowing of the ultimate atonement through Jesus Christ. The priests' role in mediating between God and Israel was a vital component of maintaining the covenant relationship, emphasizing the need for holiness and the seriousness of sin.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 6:49
But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 29:24
And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood on the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Rent Veil
... There was under the law this ordinance"that no ... Assuredly no law forbids thee; but
infinite love invites ... have dreaded that solemn day of atonement, when he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/the rent veil.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... must they present their sacrifices; but our Lord sits down because there is no more
sacrificial work to do; atonement is complete ... Under the law, when the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
... unseen God, and the only place of effective worship and atonement. ... in permitting
them to eat by the law of mercy ... to use it contrary to the laws under which it ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxviii jesus defends disciples who.htm

The Great High-Priest.
... alone entered within the veil on the day of atonement. ... 1. The high-priest under the
Law is himself beset ... For the Law makes mere men, beset with sinful infirmity ...
/.../chapter iv the great high-priest.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... they could not attain, without a greater and more excellent atonement than the ... to
do what is ordered and so feeling our weakness under the law, may learn ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

Festal Letters.
... and shouldest strew sackcloth and ashes under thee; neither ... there shall be a day
of atonement; a convocation ... fasting, conversed with God, and received the law. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/i festal letters.htm

Blair -- the Hour and the Event of all Time
... sacrifices under the law, as pre-signifying a great atonement made by ... Every remarkable
event, every distinguished personage, under the law, is interpreted ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/blair the hour and.htm

Fifth Sunday in Lent
... every year, was but a temporary and imperfect atonement; it did not eternally suffice,
as does the atonement of Christ. ... Under the old law, which provided ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday in lent.htm

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... Atonement, [42]4, [43]22, [44]23, [45]27; the marvelousness of it and its effects,
[46]53. ... Circumcision, brings us under the Law, [179]37; observed by St. ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... in a worse condition under the gospel than the Jews were under the law? When they
had sinned they had their high priest to make atonement; and shall not we ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm