Thoughts on Leviticus 16:8

Thoughts on Leviticus 16:8 by David C. Grabbe

"Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat."

This first biblical occurrence of lots being cast shows that the matter of choosing what goat fills which role is completely in God's hands. God does not leave it up to man to choose which would fulfill these roles because of man's inability to judge properly.

I Chronicles

24—26 shows that governmental roles in Israel were determined by lot. To remove any ambiguity, various officials, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, and other leaders were assigned their lots in life through God's decision. The same thing occurs in Leviticus 16: God determines which goat will fulfill which role.

The matter of the different roles becomes clear after understanding Leviticus 16:8. A difficulty springs up here, though, because the construction seems to imply two separate personalities: One lot is cast “for the LORD,” and another “for azazel.” However, if we look deeper, we will see that the phrase “for the LORD” is not about identifying a personality at all.

Because we have the benefit of looking back in history on Christ's sacrifice and understand that the sacrificial system pointed forward to the work of the Messiah, our minds tend to interpret “for the LORD” to mean “as a representation of the LORD.” While the sin offerings did pre-figure Christ, the phrase was not intended to mean this, but that the first goat was designated “as belonging to the LORD.”

It is used in the same sense that the sacred incense was “holy for the LORD” (Exodus 30:37), that in wartime the Israelites were to “levy a tribute for the LORD” (Numbers 31:28), and that an idolatrous city was to be completely burned “for the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 13:16). The first goat's role was to appease the Lord and to be sacrificed to Him; it was for the Lord's satisfaction in the ritual, not to represent Him.

Consider that the Israelites did not truly understand the intent of the sacrificial system. During the first century, the concepts that the Messiah would be God-in-the-flesh and that He would be killed in fulfillment of the whole sacrificial system were entirely foreign. If there was ever a national consciousness that the first goat was a representation of the Creator God, dying for the sins of the people, it was clearly forgotten by the time it was fulfilled!

Even though we can now read various psalms and prophecies related to the crucifixion and recognize them as Messianic, the Israelites did not have this understanding; they thought the Messiah would be a human leader who would restore them to national greatness. In like manner, they certainly understood, not that one of the goats would represent the Lord, but that the goat was a sacrifice to the Lord. The instructions do not specify how the ritual would later be fulfilled—only what the goats were for.

Along these lines, azazel is not a name in the Bible, nor did the live goat represent a second personality, but instead it fulfilled a second purpose. It was chosen to accomplish just what the Hebrew root word means: departure, removal, or disappearance.

The first goat was for the Lord because His justice must be satisfied; it was for the cleansing of His house (Tabernacle and people). The second goat was for an additional step after the penalty for sin was paid: completely removing the sins from view by bearing them to an uninhabited land.

Thus, while many infer that two personalities are in view in Leviticus 16:8, the construction does not require it. Rather, the lots were cast to determine which goat would fulfill each role within this compound atonement for sin.

Wisdom of Wigglesworth

Wisdom of Wigglesworth

"There is nothing impossible with God. All the impossibility is with us when we measure God by the limitations of our unbelief." Smith Wigglesworth

The Ten Commandments Today

The Ten Commandments Today by Dr. D. James Kennedy

"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments." 1 John 2:3

In numerous classes, to hundreds of people, I have posed this question: “Can anyone tell me any one single thing any person can do that would please God other than obey His law?”

What would you say?

It’s a tough question, and so far, no one in my classes has come up with an answer. Some have said, “Well, we could love God,” and to do so would be to obey what Jesus said was the first and greatest commandment: to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, strength, and mind. But many others hold the erroneous belief that because Christians are saved by faith—without having done anything to earn our salvation except receive Jesus’ free gift of grace—that we do not have to keep God’s laws after we’re saved.

That’s not what the apostle Paul teaches. In Romans 3:31, he asks and answers the question about keeping the law: “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.”

When God gave His law in the Old Testament, He also promised to purify us and write His law on the walls of our hearts. Then we would no longer be like the wild horse that does not want to submit to a bridle and does everything in his power to fight against it. Instead, we’d be like the tame horse that willingly and gladly submits to the guidance of his master and wears the bridle.

God promised to take away our wildly rebellious hearts and give us new hearts of glad submission. Because of our new hearts, we can say with David, who was called a man after God’s own heart, “Oh, how I love thy law. It is my meditation day and night.”

This should be the attitude of our heart. We should believe, as the apostle Paul did, that God’s law is good and just and holy. We should remember Jesus’ teaching, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

Will you covenant with me today to obey God’s commandments, showing your gratitude to and love for Him by doing so?

"If we do not have a law of God, how shall we know His will?" — HORATIO BONAR

Today in History

Today in History

1779

Benedict Arnold Court-martialed

The court-martial of Benedict Arnold convened in Philadelphia on this day in 1779, in Pennsylvania. After a relatively clean record in the early days of the American Revolution, Arnold was charged with 13 counts of misbehavior, including misusing government wagons and illegally buying and selling goods. Although his notorious betrayal was still many months away, Arnold’s resentment over this order and the perceived mistreatment by the American Army would fuel his traitorous decision.

Abruptly interrupted at its outset by a British attack north of New York City, the court-martial did not get underway again until December 23 in Morristown, New Jersey. Although Arnold was cleared of most charges, General George Washington issued a reprimand against him, and Arnold became increasingly angered.

While on a trip to the important West Point base to make sure that it could withstand a British attack, Arnold stewed over his slight by Washington and the Americans. He thought that he had never been properly rewarded or acknowledged for his military success on their behalf. He began corresponding with British spies about the possibility of changing sides.

Arnold negotiated his defection to the British and the subversion of West Point over several months. The British already held control of New York City and believed that by taking West Point they could effectively cut off the American’s New England forces from the rest of the fledgling nation.

In August 1780, Sir Henry Clinton offered Arnold £20,000 for delivering West Point and 3,000 troops. Arnold told General Washington that West Point was adequately prepared for an attack even though he was busy making sure that that it really wasn’t.

He even tried to set up General Washington’s capture as a bonus. His plan might have been successful but his message was delivered too late and Washington escaped. The West Point surrender was also foiled when an American colonel ignored Arnold’s order not to fire on an approaching British ship.

Arnold’s defection was revealed to the Americans when British officer John André, acting as a messenger, was robbed by AWOL Americans working as pirates in the woods north of New York City. The notes revealing Arnold’s traitorous agreement were stashed in his boots. Arnold and his wife Peggy, who fooled American officers into believing she had no involvement in the betrayal, escaped to New York City.

At the British surrender at Yorktown, Benedict Arnold was burned in effigy and his name has since become synonymous with traitor. The British didn’t treat him very well after the war either. After prevailing in a libel action, he was awarded only a nominal amount because his reputation was already so tarnished.

He died in 1801 and was buried in England without military honors.

Words to Ponder

Words to Ponder

The BIBLE

“He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the lord has planted for his own glory.”  Isaiah 61:3

Quotes of Presidents “Maybe I was 10 or 20 years too soon.”  Barack Obama

Wise Words                                                                            “What Roseanne said is indefensible, but angrily attacking a woman who is obviously not well does no good for anyone. Please take a breath and remember that mental health issues are real. The Roseanne I know could probably use some compassion and help right now.”  Jimmy Kimmel

Oaks of Righteousness

Oaks of Righteousness
From: Today God Is First by Os Hillman
June 01, 2018

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor" (Isaiah 61:3).

It was the worst time in my life. Feeling betrayed by God, I stormed out of the door and walked up the heavily wooded hill behind my house. Reaching the hilltop, I raged at God. "God!" I shouted, "Is this how you treat someone who is faithful to You?! I've waited and waited. I've worked and prayed. And for what? For this?"

My lungs hurt and my throat was raw - but I had one more thing to say to God. "I hate You, God! I hate You!"

I sat down on an old oak tree that had broken at the base and was lying on the ground. For the next three hours, I sobbed uncontrollably, unable to speak, unable to pray. I wondered how God could abandon me. I wondered if He even existed. Maybe I had wasted my life believing in a myth.

Finally, I got up to leave. When I looked over at the fallen oak that I had sat on, I noticed something interesting. The fallen tree was pointed toward the base of another oak tree - a tree that stood strong and tall with wide spreading branches. At that moment, I heard a quiet voice inside me say, Today, like this broken oak tree, you are a broken man. But this brokenness was needed in order for you to become like the large, strong oak tree that stands before you.

Years later, I would look back and know that God Himself had spoken to me out of my period of darkness and silence.

Even when I raged at God and told Him I hated Him, God was faithful and forgiving. Today, He has replaced the ashes of my despair with the oil of gladness. He has planted me firmly like a strong and sturdy oak tree, and I live my life in gratitude for His mercy.

Do you find yourself in a dark place? Share your true feelings with God. You'll be surprised how well He is willing to listen.

Sixty Minutes Interview with George Soros

Sixty Minutes Interview with George Soros

In a December 20, 1998 broadcast of 60 Minutes, Soros detailed his experience while in Nazi-occupied Hungary in which he admitted he worked with his “protector” who confiscated property from Jews.

60 Minutes: You’re a Hungarian Jew…
Soros: Mm-hmm.
60 Minutes: Who escaped the Holocaust…
Soros: Mm-hmm.
60 Minutes: By — by posing as a Christian.
Soros: Right.
60 Minutes: And you watched lots of people get shipped off to the death camps.
Soros: Right. I was 14 years old. And I would say that that’s when my character was made.
60 Minutes: In what way?
Soros: That one should think ahead. One should understand and — and anticipate events and when — when one is threatened. It was a tremendous threat of evil. I mean, it was a — a very personal experience of evil.

60 Minutes: My understanding is that you went out with this protector of yours who swore that you were his adopted godson.
Soros: Yes. Yes.
60 Minutes: Went out, in fact, and helped in the confiscation of property from the Jews.
Soros: Yes. That’s right. Yes.
60 Minutes: I mean, that’s — that sounds like an experience that would send lots of people to the psychiatric couch for many, many years. Was it difficult?
Soros: Not — not at all. Not at all. Maybe as a child you don’t — you don’t see the connection. But it was — it created no — no problem at all.
60 Minutes: No feeling of guilt?
Soros: No.

60 Minutes: For example that, ‘I’m Jewish and here I am, watching these people go. I could just as easily be there. I should be there.’ None of that?
Soros: Well, of course I — I could be on the other side or I could be the one from whom the thing is being taken away. But there was no sense that I shouldn’t be there, because that was — well, actually, in a funny way, it’s just like in markets — that if I weren’t there — of course, I wasn’t doing it, but somebody else would — would — would be taking it away anyhow. And it was the — whether I was there or not, I was only a spectator, the property was being taken away. So the — I had no role in taking away that property. So I had no sense of guilt.

Soros’ remarks make clear his role in joining a Hungarian bureaucrat as he confiscated property from Jews persecuted by the Nazis.

Additionally, according to Soros’ father, Soros at one point “even helped with the inventory” as stated in his father’s 1965 autobiography Masquerade: Dancing Around Death in Nazi Occupied Hungary.