Leviticus 16:5-28 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The sacrifices of the Day of Atonement.

Upon ordinary occasions sacrifices might be offered by common priests, who might act as representatives of the high priest or as representatives of the people, and so be types of Christ, or types of Christians. But upon this day the high priest must act in person, which leaves no doubt as to these transactions being eminently emblematical of Christ and of his great work. We notice—

I. THE OFFERINGS FOR AARON AND HIS HOUSE . (See Leviticus 16:6 .)

1 . In these Christ is viewed in his relation to his Church.

(1) The Christian Church is the house or family of Jesus ( Hebrews 3:6 ).

(a) Priest,

(b) Sacrifice,

(c) Bondsman.

He bears our sin in his own person, and dies for us, as Aaron would have died for his own sin and that of his house, had not the sin sacrifices been substituted to procure the forbearance of God until our competent Aaron should appear to satisfy all the claims of justice and mercy.

2 . But Christ cannot be of the family of Aaron.

II. THE OFFERINGS FOR THE PEOPLE .

1 . There was the burnt offering.

2 . The sacrifice of the two goats now claims attention.