Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Scapegoat
* Scripture: "He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and foresakes them will have mercy." Proverbs 28:13, NKJV

They had done nothing to deserve what happened to them. In all truth, they were innocent, chosen at random to receive the punishment for the sins of others.
The scenario probably dates back to the beginning of the history of people - somebody takes the 'rap,' becomes the "fall guy," taking the blame for the guilty who then go free.
The biblical "fall guy" wasn't even a person, but a goat, a scapegoat. Azazel, in Hebrew, one that is made to bear the blame of others.
The ceremony of the scapegoat was conducted upon the Day of Atonement. Leviticus, Chapter 16, explains the sacrifices required for the atonement for the Priest, for the Tabernacle, and for the People.
Aaron, the high priest during the Exodus, was instructed to take two goats and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the meeting. He then would cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord (the sin offering) and the other lot for the scapegoat.
Of the two goats, the "sin offering" was sacrificed for the atonement of the 'Holy Place' and the tabernacle of meeting because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgression, for all their sins. (vs.16) Their sin contaminated even God's sanctuary!
Leviticus 16:10 relates that the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat was to be presented before the Lord; Aaron was to confess all the sins of the children of Israel, to make 'atonement' upon it, and to let it go as a scapegoat into the wilderness, removing the sins to a distant desolate place.
"The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land;" (Leviticus 16:22)
It is only through the Grace of God that the ritual of atonement is effective.
Note that in both the ritual of the scapegoat and the scriptural passage from Proverbs that confession of sin is the key to obtaining mercy. The priest (Aaron) confessed for the people, putting their sins on the head of the scapegoat.
Yes, I could quote Hebrews 9:25-26, affirming that Jesus died as a ransom, once for all. Or Isaiah 53:4, that He "took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows." Or many other passages confirming that Jesus died for our sins.
However, it is in the act of confession and forsaking of our sins that we will have mercy. (Further reading: Romans 10:9-11)
April 9, 12006