Leviticus 16:23-34
Q.1. When did the priests wash themselves and their clothes? How were the burnt offerings and sin offerings treated? – (Lev.16:23-28)
The blood of sin offerings had been ceremonially sprinkled by the High Priest on the Mercy Seat – that he might make atonement for himself and for his household and for all the assembly of Israel (Lev.16:17). Before proceeding to offer the burnt offerings for himself and the people, the High Priest had to firstly wash himself and his stained garments (Lev.16:23-24). Only then could he – come forth and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people and make atonement for himself and for the people (Lev.16:24). The fat of the sin offerings was burnt up on the altar (Lev.16:25). Whatever remained of the sin offerings was disposed of outside the camp. Any people handling the scapegoat, or the bull and goat sin offerings, had to wash themselves and their clothes (Lev.16:26-28).
Q.2. How do we see that God intended the Day of Atonement to be a very significant day in the life of the nation? – (Lev.16:29-34)
God underscored the importance of the Day of Atonement with this summary – This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you (Lev.16:29). The Day of Atonement was to be a special Sabbath, a High Day when they were to do no work – It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute (Lev.16:31 c.f. Jn.19:31). It was an annual provision from the Lord – for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord (Lev.16:30). The Day of Atonement would become one of the three special celebrations each year – you shall have this as a permanent statute, to make atonement for the sons of Israel for all their sins once every year (Lev.16:34).