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The Underlying Purpose of the Day of Atonement

LEVITICUS 16:1-13

A–Now the Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they had approached (qarab) the presence of the Lord and died (mut). v. 1 (Man’s independent approach to God leads to death)

B–“Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is over the ark, or he will die; v. 2a (Inside the veil)

C–For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat (kapporet: cover).  v. 2b  (God’s presence)

B–He shall take a fire pan full of coals of fire from upon the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of finely ground sweet incense, and bring it inside the veil. v. 12 (Inside the veil)

A–He shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the ark of the testimony, otherwise he will die (lo mut). v. 13  (Man’s approach to God under God’s instruction leads to reconciliation)

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