Daily Devotions
Exodus
"Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left." Deuteronomy 5:32
Text: Exodus 30 : 10
WITH REFERENCE TO ATONEMENT
The altar of incense had a very special function with reference to Atonement besides intercession.
“And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns
once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement;
once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout
your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”
EXODUS 30:10
THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
The issue of atonement was deemed so important that it was observed as a Day of Atonement. This was well described in Leviticus 16. The conclusion of this significant chapter is included to highlight the significance of the Day of Atonement.
“This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month,
on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls,
and do no work at allâ?¦
For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you,
to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins
before the LORD. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you,
and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever.
And the priest, who is anointed and consecrated to minister
as priest in his father’s place (as high priest), shall make
atonement, and put on the linen clothes, the holy garments;
then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary,
and he shall make atonement for the Tabernacle of meeting
and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests
and for all the people of the assembly. This shall be an
everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the
children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year.”
LEVITICUS 16:29-34
1. The role of the high priest in the Old Covenant
His role to “make atonement” was of vital importance. It was at the altar of incense that he would make atonement for ALL- priests and people! His role, though vital, was at best only a shadow of the greater reality that was fulfilled by THE High Priest of the New Covenant- the Lord Jesus Christ!
2. The role of the Lord Jesus as High Priest in the New Covenant
The subject of the High Priesthood of the Lord Jesus is well discussed in Hebrews 3-10. One text may be singled out to highlight the significance of His High Priesthood.
“We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand
of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens…”
HEBREWS 8:1b