On
the tenth day of the appointed month in early autumn, you must deny yourselves.
Neither native-born Israelites nor foreigners living among you may do any kind
of work. This is a permanent law for you. On that day offerings of purification
will be made for you, and you will be purified in the LORD's presence from all
your sins. Leviticus
16:29-30
Yom Kippur starts at sundown today and
continues until sunset tomorrow. It is a Day of Atonement, especially to God for
individuals and for their nation. The Jews are still looking for their
Messiah—but as our tour guide, Amir, explained when we visited Israel—it is a
Messiah for their nation, not for each individual. It was an epiphany moment
for me as I thought about these two concepts. Jews are looking for a national
Messiah and they seek repentance as a nation during Yom Kippur. Our western
culture seeks individual salvation, while the countries of eastern cultures seek
national salvation. God does not want anyone to be destroyed; not any nation or
any individual. He wants them to repent.
That is what Yom Kippur is all about.
Repentance.
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| The Jewish day begins at sunset...and ends at sunset. Illuminating the clouds we see the light of the world. Is the Light of the World, Jesus, in your heart? |
A permanent
law or statute. Can’t change it. God decreed it. That’s the way it is. Don’t
work—just worship and honor God—atone for your sins for the year. That is what
this Holy Day of Yom Kippur is all about—purification from sin. Note that
it says “you will be purified
in the LORD’s presence from all your sins.” This isn’t something that people can do for
themselves. The Lord God purifies us—He removes the sin. That is atonement. But
we have to come to Him, admitting our mistakes and humbly seeking forgiveness.
Prepare your heart daily—continually praying to the Lord. Paul wrote such
advice to the church at Thessalonica.
Rejoice
always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is
God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise
prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which
is good; abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians
5:16-22 NASB
Pray continually and stay away from
anything evil. Good advice then…and today. Are you seeking atonement? The
Day of Atonement is tomorrow, actually beginning at sundown today. On
that day offerings of purification will be made for you, and you will be purified
in the LORD's presence from all your sins. An offering of purification
will be offered for you. Your sins will be forgiven...just ask.
The shofar is sounded at the end of the
final service in the synagogue on Yom Kippur, some say to represent the closing
of heaven gates or the temple’s gates. It is significant of the reconciliation
with God and with others that has taken place…or should have…in the last ten or
more days.
Do you feel that during this time of Yom
Kippur you have sought repentance and received renewal?
Prayer – Lord God, strengthen us to
continually be in conversation with You that we would be in Your presence and
in that we would stay away from evil. I praise You for Your plan for our lives
that we can stand before You one day, holy and pure. Atoned of our sin.
Daily
Bible Reading: John 5
© 2019 Text and
photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers,
Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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