17. After having made atonement for the people in the most holy place, what did the high priest next do?
“And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: and Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness.” Verses 20, 21.
Note.—The offering of the Lord's goat cleansed the sanctuary. By this offering the sins of the people, transferred there during the year, were, in type, atoned for; but they were not by this offering finally disposed of, or destroyed. The scapegoat, symbolizing Satan, the great tempter and originator of sin, was brought to the sanctuary, and upon his head were placed all these sins which Satan had tempted God's people to commit.
18. What final disposition was made of the sins of the people?
“And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.” Verse 22.
The Scapegoat. "And Aaron shall ... confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel." Lev. 16:21.
19. What was this earthly sanctuary and its round of service?
“Which was a figure for the time then present.” Heb. 9:9.
20. Of what sanctuary, or tabernacle, is Christ the minister?