God commanded three sacred assemblies to be held in the seventh month. The climax was the Festival of Tabernacles, which included offerings for seven days. Offerings were counted down from thirteen (a cursed number) to seven bulls (a perfect, complete number). A final, special assembly concluded the festival. It foreshadows our own salvation, being brought from death to life.

On the tenth day, they were to mark the Day of Atonement. It was the highlight of the month. That day was marked with a special command of self-denial. Out of many festival days, this one was a somber remembrance of their need for atonement, and who provided it. All celebrations flow from the reality that their sins were atoned for by God.

Note the repetition of the offering of the goat as a sin offering (28:15, 22, 30; 29:5, 11, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 38). The Day of Atonement was to be remembered at every festival through this sacrifice. In the same way, Jesus' one act of atonement, dying on the cross for our sins, is to be remembered daily through repentance of sins and affirming forgiveness through Jesus' sacrifice. We deny ourselves daily and follow him in light of this atonement.


Application: Father, thank you for forgiving my sins through Jesus. Help me to remember and celebrate this blessing daily and regularly as Jesus' disciple.
One Word: Deny yourself and follow Jesus.