Week 10…Repetition.
Have you ever wondered why God repeats Himself so much in Leviticus? Why in chapter 16 does He circle back to Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, who died offering unauthorized fire back in chapter 10? It might feel like old news, but here in chapter 16, God has a purpose: He’s showing that drawing near to His holiness isn’t something we do on our own terms.
Leviticus 16 begins with a sobering reminder: “The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the LORD and died.” God wanted Aaron to understand that access to His presence must be approached with humility, obedience, and reverence. This isn’t about shaming Aaron for past tragedy, it’s about protecting the people from repeating a fatal mistake. In our own lives, this is still true, our sincerity doesn’t make us acceptable before God. Only God’s appointed way does, and its within those terms which allow us to draw near to a Holy God without blemish…because of Jesus.
In chapter 16 God established the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, as an annual reset for the entire nation. One day a year, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place behind the veil, which was the last room in the Tent of Meeting. The high priest had to wash himself, wear plain linen garments (nothing fancy to boast in), and offer sacrifices first for his own sins and then for the people’s. Two goats were chosen: one to be killed as a sin offering, and the other (the scapegoat) to symbolically carry the sins of Israel away into the wilderness.
These two goats are a vivid foreshadowing of Jesus. Yep, the Jesus whisper! Like the first goat, Jesus’ blood was poured out to cleanse our guilt. Like the scapegoat, He carried our sins far away, never to be counted against us again. Hebrews tells us that Jesus entered the true Holy of Holies in heaven, not with the blood of animals, but with His own perfect sacrifice. When He cried out, “It is finished,” the veil of the temple tore in two…no more annual sacrifice, no more barrier, no more HighPriest entering once a year. Through Jesus, we have access to God forever, not just once a year and without animal sacrifice. SO GRATEFUL for this!
Leviticus 17 then underscores why blood is so central. God says, “The life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls.” The Israelites weren’t allowed to eat blood or pour it out carelessly because it was holy in their time…blood represented life! Every sacrifice reminded them that sin costs life. Every drop pointed to a Savior whose blood would be the final, perfect atonement. His life was sacrificed for our eternal one!
Sometimes we read these laws and think they’re irrelevant to our faith today, but they actually reveal the unchanging character of God. He is still holy. Sin is still serious. And only His appointed sacrifice, Jesus, makes us clean. The only difference between now is that Jesus has fulfilled every shadow and symbol. We don’t need to slaughter goats or sprinkle blood, we only need to trust in the One whose sacrifice opened the way.
Friend, can you see the love in these pages? God isn’t distant, waiting for you to clean yourself up. He has always been the One making a way for His people to draw near safely. Leviticus repeats itself because He wants this truth pressed deep into our hearts…you are welcomed into His presence, not because you’re good enough, but because Jesus is. You don’t have to carry guilt on your back like the scapegoat wandering the wilderness. Your sin has been laid on Christ and taken far away.
As you reflect on these chapters, consider: are you approaching God with reverence, aware of His holiness? Are you still carrying shame He has already forgiven? Let the picture of these ancient rituals remind you: the sacrifice has been made. The blood has been poured out. The way is open. And the invitation to come near is yours forever.
REFLECTION:
Where in your life have you seen God repeating himself to you? What does this mean to you?
PRAYER:
God, thank you for being constant. Thank you for allowing me to approach you with confidence. Help me see all the ways you stay the same, and all the ways you gently remind or repeat your love towards me. Thank you for being such a good Father to me. Amen