‏ Leviticus 16

* The great day of atonement. (1-14) The sacrifices on it, The

scape-goat. (15-34)

1-14 Without entering into particulars of the sacrifices on the

great day of atonement, we may notice that it was to be a

statute for ever, till that dispensation be at an end. As long

as we are continually sinning, we continually need the

atonement. The law of afflicting our souls for sin, is a statue

which will continue in force till we arrive where all tears,

even those of repentance, will be wiped from our eyes. The

apostle observes it as a proof that the sacrifices could not

take away sin, and cleanse the conscience from it, that in them

there was a remembrance made of sin every year, upon the day of

atonement, #Heb 10:1,3|. The repeating the sacrifices, showed

there was in them but a feeble effort toward making atonement;

this could be done only by offering up the body of Christ once

for all; and that sacrifice needed not to be repeated. 15-34 Here are typified the two great gospel privileges, of the

remission of sin, and access to God, both of which we owe to our

Lord Jesus. See the expiation of guilt. Christ is both the Maker

and the Matter of the atonement; for he is the Priest, the High

Priest, that makes reconciliation for the sins of the people.

And as Christ is the High Priest, so he is the Sacrifice with

which atonement is made; for he is all in all in our

reconciliation to God. Thus he was figured by the two goats. The

slain goat was a type of Christ dying for our sins; the

scape-goat a type of Christ rising again for our justification.

The atonement is said to be completed by putting the sins of

Israel upon the head of the goat, which was sent away into a

wilderness, a land not inhabited; and the sending away of the

goat represented the free and full remission of their sins. He

shall bear upon him all their iniquities. Thus Christ, the Lamb

of God, takes away the sin of the world, by taking it upon

himself, #Joh 1:29|. The entrance into heaven, which Christ made

for us, was typified by the high priest's entrance into the most

holy place. See #Heb 9:7|. The high priest was to come out

again; but our Lord Jesus ever lives, making intercession, and

always appears in the presence of God for us. Here are typified

the two great gospel duties of faith and repentance. By faith we

put our hands upon the head of the offering; relying on Christ

as the Lord our Righteousness, pleading his satisfaction, as

that which alone is able to atone for our sins, and procure us a

pardon. By repentance we afflict our souls; not only fasting for

a time from the delights of the body, but inwardly sorrowing for

sin, and living a life of self-denial, assuring ourselves, that

if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us

our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. By the

atonement we obtain rest for our souls, and all the glorious

liberties of the children of God. Sinner, get the blood of

Christ effectually applied to thy soul, or else thou canst never

look God in the face with any comfort or acceptance. Take this

blood of Christ, apply it by faith, and see how it atones with

God.