Leviticus 16:15-22 - He is to lay both hands on the goat

16:15-19

Aaron first had to offer sacrifices for his own sins, then he offered the goat for the sins of the people. It is interesting that it speaks of making atonement “for the Most Holy Place” (16:16, see also 16:18). God created us to live in close fellowship with Him, that is how things are meant to be, but sin broke that fellowship. God’s plans are geared towards restoring that fellowship. The atonement “worked” “whatever their sins have been”. Anyone can be forgiven who comes to Christ in repentance and faith.

16:20-22

Having dealt with the goat that was to be sacrificed, attention now turns to the live goat. Aaron was to lay both hands upon the goat, signifying the transference of sin. He also had to confess all the sins of Israel. This does not mean naming every single sin, he would have been there an awful long time! Rather it means a general acknowledgement of sin, though sometimes there may have been specific sins to be mentioned. The goat was then sent away, and there was an assistant to make sure it went off into the wilderness. So first our guilt has to be atoned for, then our sins can be dealt with. As I said before, the cross is not just about being forgiven, but also being sanctified. If we stick with our sin we cannot dwell in the presence of the Lord. A person or nation committed to sin can only live in the wilderness.