THE LORD SPOKE (February 16)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Leviticus 15-16

On the Day of Atonement, Aaron was instructed to take “two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting” (Lev. 16:7). Lots were then cast and the first goat was to be offered to the Lord (Lev. 16:8). The problems start with the second goat. It was supposed to be la’aza’zel (“for azazel”).

Some scholars say that this is the proper name of a desert demon that fed on an animal laden with the sins of the entire nation of Israel. Why then does Leviticus 17:7 forbid making offerings or sacrifices to demons? Is this name connected to other demons named in Scripture such as Lilith (“the night hag” in Isa. 34:14) or the Shedim (“hairy ones” or “goat idols” in II Chron 11:15; Isa. 13:21, etc.)? Later Jewish apocryphal literature (c. 200 BC) like the book of Enoch uses Azazel as a proper name but there’s no evidence that it was used that way in Moses’ day (1400 BC).

The translators of the Septuagint did not regard 'azazel as a proper name. They connected it to the Hebrew verb ‘azal (which doesn’t appear in the Old Testament) meaning “to send away”. Their understanding was that the term came from two words, ‘az (goat) and ‘azal (send away) and this led to the word “scapegoat”. Actually, a better term in English would be “escape goat” (since a “scapegoat” is one who always gets blamed or always gets stuck with doing the dirty work).

Since this God-ordained ceremony is part of a sin offering, there is no sense in which it is an offering to the Devil or his demons. On this most holy of all days, the Day of Atonement, Aaron was first required to offer a sacrifice for his own sins and those of his household. He then proceeded to offer sacrifices for the whole nation. The first goat was to die in order to picture the atonement, for “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin” (Heb. 9:22). The second goat provided a picture of the removal of sin. By being released into the wilderness, it symbolized the removal of the forgiven sins on the basis of the slain substitute.

What a perfect picture of how our redemption is accomplished by the Lamb of God who brings both of these pictures together in what He did for us on the Cross. He bore our sins for us and He died for us.

Man of Sorrows! what a name for the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we; spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die; “It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King, all His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing: Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Phillip P. Bliss


New Testament: Luke 3

Why did God let Herod Antipas throw John the Baptist in prison? John was being faithful to his calling. He was doing what God commissioned him to do. He was a trustworthy and obedient servant. So why did God let him go to jail?

We can never know the final answer to such questions this side of glory, but consider for a moment some of these possibilities:

• Maybe jail was the safest place for John at that moment. His preaching was meeting with increasing resistance and it wouldn’t have been long before his death warrant would be signed in any case. So maybe jail was a good thing.
• Maybe John’s disciples needed this imprisonment. Now that the Master had appeared, maybe they were struggling with the idea of their master being eclipsed. John himself clearly understood that “He must increase but I must decrease (John 3:30), but did they? Maybe they needed some enforced downtime.
• Maybe John himself needed some downtime. We know he occasionally struggled with some doubts (e.g. Mat. 11:2). Could it be that he’d been so busy in recent days that he was headed for a blowout and God knew he needed to be removed from circulation at that moment in his life? Maybe jail was a good place for John to slow down and reorient his own spirit.
• Maybe preaching from jail was actually the most effective means at that moment. Like John Bunyan from the Bedford jail or Richard Wurmbrand in his various imprisonments, maybe John the Baptist found a more effective pulpit in his prison cell. His voice was not silenced by being behind bars!
• Maybe the world (and that would include you and me) needed this example to pause and think a little deeper about such things. Could it be that our own comfortable lifestyles are not the most productive or effective means of service for the Lord. Maybe a little persecution would result in our greater strength and courage to serve our Master.

Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own his cause, or blush to speak his name?

Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?

Sure I must fight, if I would reign; increase my courage, Lord.
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by thy Word.

Isaac Watts