In contrast to chapter 15, which focuses on personal cleansing and forgiveness, chapter 16 deals with national forgiveness. In this passage, the Lord gives commands to Moses regarding the Day of Atonement, a day in which the whole nation had to stop their work, repent, and seek God’s forgiveness for their wickedness. Most of this chapter concerns Aaron the high priest and his duties. He was to put on his priestly robes, appear once a year in the Most Holy Place, and represent the nation seeking God’s forgiveness. Spiritual leaders are critical to their nation’s repentance. Their personal attitude and reverence for God and God’s mission directly affect the nation’s atonement. We must pray for our spiritual leaders to be equipped with God’s spirit of prayer to do so.

These offerings involved a sacrificed goat and a scapegoat. The priest sacrificed the first goat, which bore the punishment the nation’s sins deserved. Then he confessed all the sins of the nation while laying his hands on the scapegoat, and released it outside the camp, symbolically carrying away the nation’s sins. We as a nation need to place our faith in Jesus and ask for his forgiveness for our wickedness.
Application: Father, we confess our sins as a nation. Save us from your judgment and restore us.
One Word: Honoring God through a national day of repentance