Yom Kippur, occurring tonight on October 11-12, is a biblical feast full of rich, prophetic significance. It points magnificently to the ministry of Yeshua in both His first and second comings. It marks a day of blessing–and cursing.
Yom Kippur literally translates to “Day of Covering” but is commonly known as the Day of Atonement. The English word “atonement” was actually devised to convey the concept of the at-one-ment with God that He restored to His ancient covenant people through this feast.
Leviticus 16 outlines how Yom Kippur was to be observed. On the 10th day of the 7th month, Israel’s high priest was to sacrifice two goats on behalf of the nation. One goat would be ceremonially slaughtered. Its blood would then be sprinkled throughout the temple as an atonement and covering for sin. Next, the high priest would lay his hands on the second goat, vicariously transferring onto it the sins of the people. The sin bearing goat was called azazel. It is translated into the English word “scapegoat.” In modern Hebrew, azazel is used as a type of profane expletive in reference to something cursed.
The ancient scapegoat of Yom Kippur served as a tangible sign of God’s forgiveness. But it was also a visible and uncomfortable reminder of His holy demand for obedience. According to Leviticus 16, it was to be taken to a solitary place in the desert and left alone. Usually, however, the goat was killed because the people understood it was cursed.
Since the destruction of Israel’s holy temple, Yom Kippur has been observed by Jews around the world with fasting and liturgical prayers of repentance. According to rabbinic tradition, it is seen as a day of judgment on which God seals the destiny of individuals, and by extension all humankind, for the upcoming year.
In 2024/5785 most Israelis, and perhaps most Jews worldwide, will experience Yom Kippur with deeper than usual soul-searching and somber reflection. Many are seeking, even calling out, for God as never before in their lives. Due to events of the past year, from multiple wars in Israel to un-rescued hostages, from skyrocketing antisemitism to threats of nuclear exchange with Iran, they are seeking and needing answers. They need comfort and peace. They not only need at-one-ment with God; many of them want it. Pray for them this Yom Kippur.
It has long been said that the Jewish people serve, quite haplessly, as the world’s scapegoat. Through history, humanity’s rage against God has been directed at them (and to be fair, sometimes at Christians) . Like the sin bearing goat of Yom Kippur, the tangible existence of Jews—and especially Israel—reminds the nations, consciously or unconsciously, of the existence of God and His holy demands. (See Psalm 2.)
But that is a message the world loves to hate. And so it seeks to kill the messenger, calling it cursed.
The phenomenon is reminiscent of but one other, the crucifixion of Israel Par Excellence Himself, Messiah Yeshua. Despised, rejected, and a Man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), Yeshua prophetically fulfills the sacrifice of Yom Kippur, once for all. (Hebrews 9:11-12) The sprinkling of His blood and sin-bearing of His body is our at-one-ment with God, and amazingly mercifully so. For our blessing, He Himself was cursed: “Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree’.” (Galatians 3:13)
This Yom Kippur let us present ourselves to God with renewed intention, as a living and holy sacrifice in worship and service to Him (Romans 12:1). Let us offer deep-down thanksgiving and praise for His mercy and grace, for forgiveness of our sins, and for the blessed hope of His soon return. And let us pray for the at-one-ment of Jewish people with their God through revelation of Messiah’s atonement, once for all.
Let us anticipate the day of Yom Kippur’s prophetic consummation when Yeshua comes again, this time releasing His righteous judgments and Israel’s nationwide salvation: “And so in this way all Israel will be saved, just as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.'” (Romans 11:26)
Yom Kippur blessings to each of you in Messiah’s love!
If you’d like other suggestions on how to observe Yom Kippur as a Christian, click here.