Atonement, in OT

The OT laid down complex regulations by which the guilt of sin could be removed through the sacrificial system. Particular emphasis was placed upon the role of the high priest, who was required to make annual atonement for the sins of the people.

The covenantal framework of atonement

As God's covenant partners, the Israelites undertook to keep his laws

Exodus 24:3 See also Deuteronomy 26:17; Joshua 24:24

When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.”

The sin offering made atonement for unintentional sins under the covenant

Leviticus 9:7 See also Leviticus 4:13–14; Numbers 15:22–26

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Approach the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering to make atonement for yourself and for the people. And sacrifice the people’s offering to make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.”

The guilt offering atoned for sins where reparation was required

Leviticus 19:20–22 See also Leviticus 6:1–7

If a man lies carnally with a slave girl promised to another man but who has not been redeemed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. But they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed. The man, however, must bring a ram to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting as his guilt offering to the LORD. The priest shall make atonement on his behalf before the LORD with the ram of the guilt offering for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven the sin he has committed.

Deliberate flouting of God's law could not be atoned for

Numbers 15:30–31 See also Numbers 35:33; 1 Samuel 3:14

But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people. He shall certainly be cut off, because he has despised the word of the LORD and broken His commandment; his guilt remains on him.”

The Day of Atonement provided for the removal of the nation's sin

Leviticus 16:34 See also Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16:1–33 The nation's sin was atoned for by sprinkling the atonement cover in the Most Holy Place with the blood of the sacrificial goat; the removal of the people's sin was symbolised by the driving of the scapegoat into the wilderness; Hebrews 9:7

This is to be a permanent statute for you, to make atonement once a year for the Israelites because of all their sins.” And all this was done as the LORD had commanded Moses.

The atonement cover

Exodus 25:17–22 The locating of God's presence above the atonement cover in the tabernacle demonstrated that it was only on the basis of atonement that God could accompany his people. See also Exodus 30:6; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 7:89

And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat, one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold. And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat. Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark. And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

Atonement was effected by the blood of the sacrifice

Leviticus 17:11 The blood signified that the life of the animal had been given in place of that of the worshipper. See also Hebrews 9:22

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.

The role of priests in making atonement

Priests were dedicated to God in order to make atonement for others

Exodus 29:44 See also Leviticus 8:22–30

So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests.

The priests had to make atonement for their own sins

Hebrews 5:1–3 See also Leviticus 9:8–11

Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

The priests represented the people before God to atone for their sin

Hebrews 5:1 See also Exodus 28:36–38; Leviticus 10:16–17

Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

The people had constant reminders of the need for atonement

Rituals of cleansing included an atoning offering

Leviticus 12:7–8, Leviticus 14:18–22, Leviticus 14:53, Leviticus 15:15

Atonement was a feature of Israel's festivals

Numbers 28:22, Numbers 28:30, Numbers 29:5, Numbers 29:11

Abuses of the system of atonement

The sinful conduct of the priests who made atonement

Hosea 4:7–8 See also 1 Samuel 2:12–17; Jeremiah 6:13–14; Ezekiel 22:26; Malachi 1:6–8

The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace. They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.

The sinful conduct of the people who sought atonement without repenting of their sins

Hosea 8:11–13 See also Isaiah 1:10–17, Isaiah 66:3; Jeremiah 7:21–24; Amos 4:4

Though Ephraim multiplied the altars for sin, they became his altars for sinning. Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, they regarded them as something strange. Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to Me, and though they eat the meat, the LORD does not accept them. Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.

The need for repentance for a relationship of atonement

Proverbs 16:6 See also 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 51:16–17; Micah 6:6–8

By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

The prophets foretold a renewing of God's relationship with Israel, involving atonement for sin