"These [in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." - Acts 17:11
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(29) `And it hath been to you for a statute age-during, in the seventh month, in the tenth of the month, ye humble yourselves, and do no work -- the native, and the sojourner who is sojourning in your midst;

(28) and ye do no work in this self-same day, for it is a day of atonements, to make atonement for you, before Jehovah your God. (29) `For any person who is not humbled in this self-same day hath even been cut off from his people; (30) and any person who doth any work in this self-same day I have even destroyed that person from the midst of his people; (31) ye do no work -- a statute age-during to your generations in all your dwellings.

(7) `And on the tenth of this seventh month a holy convocation ye have, and ye have humbled your souls; ye do no work;


On the Day of Atonement, God requires that absolutely no work be performed (Leviticus 16:29; 23:28-31; Numbers 29:7), symbolizing that human effort is completely useless in making the proper atonement needed to keep living after sin. The Israelites could do nothing but observe what occurred at the Tabernacle, watching as the young goat was led away with all their sins. Likewise, we can do absolutely nothing to add to Christ's atoning work. Thus, it is a day without work for us as well.

Israel's works nearly condemned the nation to obliteration. In particular, the Golden Calf was a work of Aaron's hands (Exodus 32:4-5). No matter how he tried to pass it off, he deliberately fashioned an idol out of gold, something he had to work at. Similarly, the work of Nadab's and Abihu's hands included offering profane fire (Leviticus 10:1). In Haggai 2:14, God remarks on Israel's spoiling of everything she puts her hands to: “'So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,' says the LORD, 'and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.'” The works of men always contain defilement, so on the day when God removes the filth, no work can be done, lest more corruption be introduced.

The only work permitted on the Day of Atonement was performed by the high priest and by the man who led the azazel away, and both had to have an atonement made for them. For us, it is a day of solemn remembrance of the perfect work of our High Priest, who gave us precious access to the Father and removed our sins.

Atonement is also a day of afflicting one's soul. This requirement could serve as a reminder of the fasting Moses did during his interactions with God. There is overwhelming gravity in all that was involved when he fasted for forty days on back-to-back-to-back occasions. Two of those times involved meeting directly with God, receiving a pattern for life from His incomparable mind. The middle period of fasting reflects how seriously God regarded the sins and the enormity of what was at stake due to Aaron's and the nation's transgressions.

— David C. Grabbe

To learn more, see:
Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat— Satan or Christ? (Part Four)



 

Topics:

Afflict Our Souls

Azazel -goat of "Complete Removal"

Azazel Bearing Sins

Azazel Goat

Azazel Led by Fit Man

Cleansing of Peoples' Defilement

Day of Atonement

Defilement

God Removes Israel's Filth

Golden Calf

Israel's Transgressions

Nadab and Abihu's Sin

Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat?




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