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work” is a reminder that, as ever, divine redemption” (v12 RV). Old Testament
blessing is never experienced on the basis sacrifices were “offered year by year
of activity. Irrespective of the dispensa- continually” (Heb 10:1). The Lord Jesus
tion, blessing is founded on the work of offered “one sacrifice for sins for ever”
the cross and received on the principle of (v12); “the offering of the body of Jesus
faith, allied with repentance. Christ [was] once for all” (v10).
Calvary will be central to their thinking. Another distinction is that Israel’s an-
Prominent in the passage that describes nual ritual served as “a remembrance …
their repentance is this: “They shall look of sins every year,” and did nothing for
upon me whom they have pierced” (Zec the conscience (Heb 10:2-3). Satisfied by
12:10). As already hinted, the language of the work of the cross, God declares, “Their
Isaiah 53 will flow from their lips, as they sins and iniquities will I remember no
confess to being like wayward sheep, but more” (v17).
that Jehovah “laid on him the iniquity of Sacrifices
us all” (v6).
Having offered for himself, the priest’s
Superiority activity then centered around two goats,
A study of Leviticus 16 is a topic on its the two constituting a single sin offering
own, and although space is limited, we (Lev 16:5). The first goat foreshadowed
cannot ignore it altogether even though the Lord’s death, with its blood being
we have been concentrating on the Day of sprinkled before and on the mercy seat.
Atonement in relation to the other feasts. It pictures His work of propitiation which
Knowing the chapter is essential for un-
derstanding much of the Hebrews epistle. both satisfies God and gives us a standing
before Him. The body was burned “with-
There, the writer concentrates on contrasts out the camp” (v27), portraying our Savior
between the ineffectiveness of Old Testa-
ment ritual and the sufficiency of Christ. “suffer[ing] without the gate” (Heb 13:12).
First, every Aaronic priest was flawed, for A comprehensive confession of the na-
he offered a sacrifice daily, “first for his tion’s sins was made over the scapegoat
own sins, and then for the people’s” (Heb and these sins were put “upon the head
7:27). On the Day of Atonement, he had of the goat”; it was then led to “a land not
first to “make an atonement for himself” inhabited” and abandoned (Lev 16:20-22).
(Lev 16:6). By contrast, our Great High It is a stark reminder of another aspect of
Priest is “holy, harmless, undefiled, sepa- Calvary, the Psalm 22 perspective: “My
rate from sinners” (Heb 7:26). On the Day God, my God, why hast thou forsaken
of Atonement, the priest required both me?” (v1). It typifies the loneliness and
cleansing and linen garments to make him sense of desolation that He experienced
a suitable type of what Christ is intrinsi- as He bore our sins. The solitary aspect of
cally (Lev 16:4). His work is typified again in that the high
Another major contrast is in the per- priest alone functioned in the sanctuary
manence of what was accomplished at that day, with “no man in the tabernacle of
Calvary. The ancient priest went into the the congregation when he goeth in” (Lev
most holy place “once every year” (Heb 16:17). Says Peter of the Lord Jesus, “Who
9:7). Christ “entered in once for all into his own self bare our sins in his own body
the holy place, having obtained eternal on the tree” (1Pe 2:24).

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