Long ago, in the heart of Israel’s wilderness camp, there was a special day each year called the Day of Atonement—a day set apart for the people to seek forgiveness and purification before the Lord.
On this day, the high priest, Aaron, prepared himself with great care. He put on sacred linen garments, different from his usual robes, and washed himself thoroughly. This day was unlike any other, for it was the only time the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, the innermost part of the tabernacle where God's presence dwelled.
Aaron brought two goats before the Lord. One would be sacrificed as a sin offering, a gift to cleanse the people from their sins. The other was chosen by lot to be the scapegoat, sent into the wilderness carrying the sins of Israel away.
With a deep heart, Aaron laid his hands on the head of the scapegoat, confessing all the sins and wrongdoings of the people. He symbolically transferred their guilt onto the goat, which was then sent away into the wilderness, never to return.
Aaron also sprinkled the blood of the sacrificed goat on the mercy seat inside the Most Holy Place—the very cover of the Ark of the Covenant—seeking God’s forgiveness for himself, his family, and all Israel.
After these sacred rituals, Aaron removed his linen garments, bathed again, and dressed in his regular priestly robes. The people waited patiently, knowing that through these rites, their sins were forgiven, and they were made clean before God.
The Day of Atonement was a powerful reminder that God is holy and just, but also merciful and forgiving. It taught the Israelites to humble themselves, repent, and trust in God’s grace.
And so, each year, the people gathered to remember this holy day, thankful that their sins could be covered and their hearts cleansed, restored to fellowship with the Lord.
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