Leviticus 16: 21 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task.
The scapegoat is a part of Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement. It is much more significant in Judaism than Hanukkah, which is better known. The scapegoat was led into the wilderness and released. The man who did this was ceremonially unclean and had to be cleaned.
We use the term scapegoat today to describe a person who is blamed for things others did. Their wickedness and rebellion becomes a burden the scapegoat carries until people catch on. It is interesting how the term began. And it would be a relief to know that your misdeeds could be placed on a guilt-free animal and turned loose. Then you get the mercy that we now get through Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, we need a scapegoat, and You saw our need. The Jews had their Day of Atonement, which included a scapegoat to set them free of their past sins. We have Christ, so we do not need to wait for a special day. We can ask for forgiveness every day. Praise Your holy name, for thinking of our weaknesses and allowing us mercy from them.
Amen
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