Amelia Wilson 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 16:20 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Leviticus 16:20 is a verse from the Old Testament that plays a significant role in understanding the Day of Atonement, one of the most important days in the Jewish religious calendar. This passage is part of the instructions given to Moses by God regarding the rituals for the Day of Atonement, which is a day set aside for the purification of the people of Israel. To understand Leviticus 16:20, it’s important to first consider its context and meaning within the larger framework of the Bible. By delving into this verse, we can learn about the nature of sin, atonement, and God’s provision for forgiveness, as well as how these teachings apply to our lives today.
The Context of Leviticus 16:20 (KJV)
To understand Leviticus 16:20, it’s important to look at the context in which it is placed. The Book of Leviticus is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which are traditionally believed to have been written by Moses. Leviticus primarily outlines laws and regulations for the people of Israel. It focuses on matters of holiness, the priesthood, and ritual practices that were intended to guide the Israelites in their relationship with God.
Leviticus 16 is specifically concerned with the Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur in Jewish tradition. This was a day when the high priest would perform various rituals to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. It was a day of fasting, repentance, and seeking forgiveness for both personal and national sins. The central figure in these rituals was the high priest, who would offer sacrifices on behalf of the people.
One of the most important parts of this ritual was the use of two goats. One was chosen as a sacrifice, and the other was sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying the sins of the people away from the camp. This practice is described in Leviticus 16:20-22, which includes the verse in question.
Leviticus 16:20 (KJV)
The King James Version (KJV) of Leviticus 16:20 states:
“And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:”
This verse is part of the description of the ritual involving the two goats. The “live goat” is the one that will carry the sins of the people into the wilderness, symbolically removing their transgressions. But what does this mean in its full context?
Leviticus 16:20 Meaning
Leviticus 16:20 speaks of the ritual of the “scapegoat,” a practice that symbolically removed the sins of Israel from the camp. After the high priest had made atonement for the sins of the people through sacrifices and purification rituals, he would take the live goat and lay his hands upon it. In doing so, he would confess all the sins of the people of Israel. This goat would then be led into the wilderness, signifying the removal of Israel’s sins.
The concept of the scapegoat is profound because it reveals several important truths about God’s character and His plan for forgiveness:
God’s Holiness and the Need for Atonement: The rituals performed by the priest, including the sending away of the scapegoat, emphasize that God is holy and cannot tolerate sin. Atonement was necessary for reconciliation with God.
The Role of the High Priest: The high priest acted as a mediator between God and the people. He represented the people in making offerings for their sins, and his role foreshadowed the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who would offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all humanity.
The Concept of Substitution: The scapegoat was a symbol of the transfer of sin. The Israelites did not bear their own sins but placed them onto the goat, which then carried them away. This is a picture of the substitutionary atonement that would later be fulfilled through Christ’s death on the cross.
Removal of Sin: The act of sending the goat into the wilderness represented the complete removal of sin. It shows how God, through His mercy, chooses to remove the guilt and shame of sin from His people.
In the New Testament, this act is often seen as a foreshadowing of Christ’s work on the cross. Just as the scapegoat carried away the sins of the people, Jesus took the sins of the world upon Himself and removed them once and for all.
Leviticus 16:20 Application in Life
The principles seen in Leviticus 16:20 have powerful applications for our lives today. Here are a few ways that this verse speaks to us in the present:
The Need for Atonement: Just as the people of Israel needed to be reconciled to God through the atoning work of the high priest, we too need atonement for our sins. As human beings, we all fall short of God’s perfect standard, and we need someone to bridge the gap between us and God. For Christians, this is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who offers Himself as the perfect atoning sacrifice.
Jesus as Our Scapegoat: While the Israelites relied on a goat to symbolically remove their sins, Christians believe that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this symbolism. Jesus took on the weight of humanity’s sin and carried it to the cross, offering Himself as the sacrifice that removes our sins forever. This is why the Apostle John refers to Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Understanding this connection deepens our appreciation for Christ’s sacrifice and the forgiveness He offers.
Confession and Repentance: Just as the high priest confessed the sins of the people over the goat, we are called to confess our sins before God. The act of confessing our sins brings healing and reconciliation. 1 John 1:9 promises that if we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The Assurance of Forgiveness: The sending away of the scapegoat reassured the Israelites that their sins were removed from them. Similarly, when we confess our sins to God and place our trust in Jesus Christ, we can be assured that our sins are forgiven and removed from us. As Psalm 103:12 states, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Living in the Freedom of Forgiveness: The Day of Atonement was a time of renewal and freedom for the Israelites. In the same way, understanding that our sins have been taken away and forgiven by Jesus should lead to a life of freedom and gratitude. We are no longer slaves to sin but have been set free to live according to God’s will.
Conclusion
Leviticus 16:20 provides a powerful insight into God’s plan for atonement and the forgiveness of sins. The ritual of the scapegoat serves as a vivid illustration of how sin is transferred and removed from God’s people. For Christians, this practice foreshadows the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, who took our sins upon Himself and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice.
Through understanding the meaning of Leviticus 16:20, we are reminded of our need for atonement, the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, and the freedom we have in His forgiveness. As we apply these truths to our lives, we can live with a deeper sense of gratitude, peace, and joy, knowing that our sins have been removed, and we are reconciled to God.
This verse also calls us to live in the reality of God’s mercy, embracing the forgiveness He offers and walking in the freedom of His love. The message of Leviticus 16:20 is a reminder that God has made a way for us to be cleansed from sin, and we can live in the fullness of His grace.
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