Leviticus 16 … Consider Him Prefigured and Personified

Originally posted: 05/13/2019

Prefigure: to show or represent beforehand by a figure or type; foreshadow.

Personify: to represent (a thing or abstraction) in the form of a person; to embody in a real person.

Did you find it somewhat overwhelming as you took in the intricate and elaborate elements required for the faithful completion of all the Lord commanded? One can only imagine the days, weeks and even months of planning and preparation required in order to observe this one day, the Day of Atonement, required every year.

“This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; ³⁰ for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord. ³¹ It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute…. ³⁴ Now you shall have this as a permanent statute, to make atonement for the sons of Israel for all their sins once every year.” And just as the Lord had commanded Moses, so he did, (16:29-31, 34).

Did you see Him there, in every part of this Day of Atonement? Jesus Christ is there, Prefigured and Personified.

Consider Him Prefigured and Personified

• Prefigured as our High Priest, but unlike Aaron, the imperfect man, who had to ready himself through the sin offering, washing and proper attire fitting of the one who would stand as mediator between God and man, Jesus, the Son of God, was without sin.
  • Jesus Christ, Our Perfect High Priest Personified:
    • Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, (Hebrews 4:14-16).

• Prefigured as our Sin Offering, the blood sacrifice offered as the due penalty for the sins and transgressions of the people.
  • Jesus Christ, our Precious Sin Offering Personified:
    • For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit, (Romans 8:3-4 NIV).
    • knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ, (1 Peter 1:18-19).
      

• Prefigured as our Scapegoat, the priest would symbolically transfer the sins of the people onto the scapegoat to be taken out to the wilderness, symbolically removing the sins far from man.
  • Jesus Christ, our Proven Scapegoat Personified:
    • For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
      So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
      ¹² As far as the east is from the west,
      So far has He removed our transgressions from us, (Psalm 103:11-12).
    • All of us like sheep have gone astray,
      Each of us has turned to his own way;
      But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all
      To fall on Him, (Isaiah 53:6).
    • The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

• Prefigured as our Atonement, the removal of sin and cleansing required; fitting God’s people for His presence.
  • Jesus Christ, our Proper Atonement Personified:
    • God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith, (Romans 3:25 NIV).

• Prefigured as our Sabbath of Solemn Rest, a call to humble oneself, rest in His provision and reject the futile efforts of man to accomplish atonement.
  • Jesus Christ, our Priceless Sabbath Personified:
    • “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light,” (Matthew 11:28-30).
    • For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast, (Ephesians 2:8-9).
    • So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His, (Hebrews 4:9-10).

How do we respond to Him Prefigured and Personified?

As we may struggle to grasp all that is written in the pages of Leviticus, we can be grateful in how the Lord uses the statutes of the Old Covenant to deepen our understanding and appreciation of His perfect plan of salvation: Prefigured and Personified in Jesus Christ, our Perfect High Priest, Precious Sin Offering, Proven Scapegoat, Proper Atonement, and Priceless Sabbath.

We see the fullness and completion of the Father’s provision of reconciliation, Prefigured in the Day of Atonement and Personified through His Son’s sinless sacrifice. As we daily depend on Him for what He alone has done, He presents us as holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.

Oh, that we would persevere in faith, to believe and trust Him Prefigured and Personified, fully persuaded that He will accomplish what is impossible for us, but what He is able and faithful to do!

Let’s Grow Together!