13. After the accumulation of the sins of the year in this way, what service took place on the tenth day of the seventh month of each year?
“And this shall be a statute forever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, ... for on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.” Lev. 16:29, 30.
14. How was the sanctuary itself to be cleansed, and how were the sins of the people to be finally disposed of?
“And he [the high priest] shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin-offering.... And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats, one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat.” Verses 5-8.
Note.—The Hebrew word for scapegoat is Azazel. See margin of verse 8. It is used as a proper name, and, according to the opinion of the most ancient Hebrews and Christians, refers to Satan, or the angel who revolted and persisted in rebellion and sin.
15. What was done with the blood of the goat upon which the Lord's lot fell?
“Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, ... and sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat, and before the mercy-seat.” Verse 15.
16. Why was it necessary to make this atonement?
“And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.” Verse 16.
Note.—Sins were conveyed into the sanctuary during the year by the blood of the personal sin-offerings offered daily at the door of the tabernacle. Here they remained until the day of atonement, when the high priest went into the most holy place with the blood of the goat on which the Lord's lot fell; and, bearing the accumulated sins of the year in before the mercy-seat, he there, in type, atoned for them, and so cleansed the sanctuary.