Leviticus 16
WE HAVE in this wonderful portion of scripture the work of the Lord Jesus set forth typically in a two-fold way: as it applies to believers now who form the Church of God, and to the elect nation of Israel by-and-by.
We learn from John 11, in the words of the high priest, that it was expedient that one should die for the people, that the whole nation perish not. He prophesied that “Jesus should die for that nation.” Then we read in Ephesians 5:2525Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25), “Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” We thus see that Christ is the Redeemer of His earthly people Israel, as well as of His heavenly people, who form “the Church, which is His body.”
The distinction between those who are to be blessed on the earth, and those who are partakers of the heavenly calling is very clearly kept up in Scripture. These two aspects of the work of Christ in redemption are remarkably set forth typically in that which took place on the great day of atonement.
Aaron not only sets forth Christ as having gone into heaven itself for us by His own blood, but also the access which we as believers now have through the veil, “that is to say, His flesh” (Heb. 10:2020By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (Hebrews 10:20)) because He is there, and His blood ever speaks there for us. Hebrews 9 and 10 bring this before us and should be read in connection with this chapter. Aaron could not come at all times within the veil, under penalty of death, except once a year, and then not without blood and in cense; so it is no one can approach God except by Jesus and His blood.
God’s way of blessing to sinful man can only be through the offering of a sacrifice — the laying down of a life, the shedding of the blood of another on his behalf. This is true whether in regard to Israel or the Church, and as we have seen the work of Christ’s sacrifice avails for both. However, Israel’s understanding and entrance into this infinitely precious work will be very different to what ours is. Therefore different typical offerings were needed to set forth this remarkable difference. Aaron and his house set forth Christ and the Church, therefore a bullock was called for, but where Israel is represented two kids of the goats for a sin offering were to be brought. Aaron brought the bullock for himself and his house (vv. 3,6), but the two goats for a sin offering for the people he took from the children of Israel (vv. 5-15). We are told that in the case of the latter, it was because of “the uncleanness of the children of Israel.”
Aaron’s sons were priests to God; so are we. They were priests by calling and consecration; so are we. Then they were connected with Aaron by birth; and we are in relation with Christ by new birth. Also they were only in constant association with Aaron in the daily business of the sanctuary; so we are in association with Christ our great High Priest in the sanctuary which the Lord pitched, and not man.
ML-04/30/1972