Torah Thoughts: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

Torah Thoughts: Yom Kippur

 There is no Torah portion for us this week, however, it is important that we understand this next appointed holy day of YHVH.  Therefore, here are some suggested references to study this week.

This week’s suggested readings:

• Genesis 22; Psalm 49:7; Romans 5:2-11 & 2 Corinthians 5:21
• Leviticus 23:27-32 & Numbers 29:7-11
• Numbers 15:15-16 & Psalm 119:71-75
• Exodus 20:2-20
• Hebrews 7:12-17 & Hebrews 9:23-25
• Ecclesiates 12 & I Peter 4:17-19
• Revelation 14:14-20

Things to reflect on for this appointed time:

• A call to humble ourselves before our YHVH
• To make ourselves low before Him, in obedience.
• A time to realign ourselves to YHVH and submit to His authority
• A call to repentance and introspection. To repent as an individual and as a people (nation).
• To remember the great sacrifice that was made for us, on our behalf, through Jesus/Yeshua.
• The coming Day of Judgement – the saints first

The Day of Atonement:

According to the Jews, this season is the holiest of the year and Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) is considered the holiest day of the year.  It is the most solemn of the moedims (appointed times). 

When are we to observe this holy day? The Bible tells us when to observe this day, “Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement…” Leviticus 23: 27a, and “in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.” Leviticus 23:32. (2^nd witness, Numbers 29:7-11)

How are we to observe this day: “…it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict (anah) your soul, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD (YHVH).  And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.”” Leviticus 23:27b – 28. 

Also:

• No work
• Rest
• We are to afflict ourselves
  • (H6031, anah: the idea of looking down or browbeating, to depress, abase {self} afflict {self}, chasten.) This is the reason many fast on this day, but note, the Hebrew word for fast is (tsum, meaning to abstain from food).  Although the scriptures do not specifically call us to a “fast”, it is a good way to prepare one’s heart to be afflicted. (Psalm 119:71;75)
• Have a holy convocation/assembly
• Present offerings and sacrifices

So who is to observe this holy day? 

But wait, wasn’t the ultimate atonement made for us through Jesus/Yeshua’s sacrifice?  Since we have been justified through Christ, our Messiah (Romans 5:2-11), is this feast still for us, the disciples of Yeshua? 

Yes! As, this day is a holy sabbath, (5^th commandment, Exodus 20:8), and Yeshua said that not one of His commandments have been done away with, then yes, we are still to observe it.  It says repeatedly throughout scripture, these ordinances are forever, perpetual, until the end of time. 

Yeshua said, “For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:18 – 19. 

It is true that, in scripture, a blood sacrifice was required for there to be atonement.  The blood sacrifices were required through the Levitical system.  It was intended to be a rehearsal, if you will, a foreshadow of the ultimate blood sacrificed provided by our Messiah. Yeshua became the perfect and ultimate blood sacrifice.  Yeshua also brought a change to the priesthood (Hebrews 7:12-17).   It is through Him that a means was provided to reconcile us back with YHVH, our Heavenly Father.

“One (H259, echad: one, first, another, other, any, eleven, every) ordinance (H2708, chuqqah {khook-kaw}: statute, ordinance…) shall be both for you of the congregation (H6951, qahal {kaw-hawl}: assembly, congregation, multitude) , and also for the stranger (H1616, ger geyr {gare} – stranger(s), alien, sojourner) with you, an ordinance for ever (H5769, olam: ever, everlasting, generally time out of time (past or future), practically eternity, perpetual, evermore, time, ancient, always) in your generations: as ye are , so shall the stranger be before YHVH.

One law (H8451, torah: a precent or statute…law) and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.” Numbers 15:15-16.

Preparation for the Coming Judgement:

Each one of us, saint and sinner, will have to stand before Yeshua and have our life weighed.  Every deed will be judged, the saint first, then the sinner.  This is a terrifying thought! 

”For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14

“For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome before those who do not obey the gospel of God?  And ‘if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’  ‘So then, those who suffer according to God’s will, should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” I Peter 4:17-19

If you have not been keeping YHVH’s holy sabbaths (appointed times), this is a good time to start.  We hope you join us in observing this holy day, as we repent for this nation and intercede for those still lost.

We will be observing this holy day starting at sundown on Sunday, 9/27/20 until sundown on Monday, 9/28/20.   For more information about this service, please click here to see our Calendar of Events page.

Blessings and Shalom,

Denise Salinas