The scapegoat ritual associated with Yom Kippur is detailed in Leviticus 16 – two goats are chosen to represent Israel and lots are cast (comparable to throwing dice – the festival honoring Esther is called Purim [lots] because lots were cast by Haman to determine the date when the Israelites should be slaughtered) to designate which of the goats would be “for Yahweh” and the other “for Azazel (departure)”. The High Priest was to pray over the scapegoat, “confessing the sins of the children of Israel, transferring them upon the head of the goat, and [sending it] into the wilderness.”
Over and over again, the Torah speaks of the doctrine of personal responsibility. We are each responsible for our own actions, good or bad. Atonement for our sins can only be effected through a wrenching process of tshuva (return) which entails recognition of past transgressions, remorse over those transgressions, and a commitment to future change. To suggest that the tshuva process can somehow be short-circuited through a magical act of transference of sins seems to fly in the face of all that [Torah teaches].
Schmuel Goldin; Unlocking the Torah Text – Acharei – the Sent Goat
The ritual, though done literally (until the destruction of the second Temple in 70AD), is a metaphor (figure of speech synecdoché – of the part) that points to how we are each to repent of our sins and become a better version of ourselves:
- Recognition: How does one recognize sin? A universal standard for sin is the Torah. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1John 3:4). If one believes the Law does not apply to them, then what is there to atone for?
- Remorse: The sinner that has regret over their actions believes they did something wrong and does not want to continue to act wrongly in the future. The High Priest transferred that which the society condemned to the Azazel goat – we approach Christ and ask for forgiveness of the Passover lamb (1John 1:9; 2:1-7). The sinner who knows their actions are sin yet continues (and plan to continue) in their knowing sin is not remorseful and therefore does not seek atonement.
- Commitment: No believer is sinless, but the penitent sinner recognizes their sin, feels regret over having sinned, and makes a commitment to change their behavior to not continue living in sin – driving it away from themselves like the Azazel goat.
The Christian church, today, teaches that the Old Testament doctrines no longer apply to believers – this leaves them unsure of what is right and wrong, and that understanding continually changes as the culture changes. It is difficult to feel remorse when one’s definition of sin is fluid. Since modern Christians believe Christ died for all sins (which is true) then sin committed by a believer does not tarnish them (which is not true). This leads to sinners hardening their heart to sin which is the opposite of atonement.
“Christ loves me as I am” is not doctrinal – he loves you, but he wants you to strive to be a better person. One does not love the drug addict by letting them indulge in their addiction – if we love them, we seek to help them overcome their addiction. In the same way, one does not love the sinner by celebrating their sin and/or telling them they are courageous for living in sin.
Christ will one day judge mankind (the Day of the Lord – 2Peter 3:10) – which standard do you think he will use, yours or his Father’s?
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14
Few because many do not recognize sin and/or repent of their sin.
The choice is to accept Christ as your Savior (see Born Again? and Born Again, Part 2) and live life everlasting, or to face Christ as your judge and possibly die in the Lake of Fire.
Choose wisely.
