Friends,
Ever heard the phrase “Scapegoat” and wondered where it comes from?
“He will lay both of his hands on the goat’s head and confess over it all the wickedness, rebellion, and sins of the people of Israel. In this way, he will transfer the people’s sins to the head of the goat. Then a man specially chosen for the task will drive the goat into the wilderness. As the goat goes into the wilderness, it will carry all the people’s sins upon itself into a desolate land.
“The man chosen to drive the scapegoat into the wilderness of Azazel must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water. Then he may return to the camp.”
Leviticus 16:21-22, 26 NLT
http://bible.com/116/lev.16.21-22,26.nlt
Like so many analogies and euphemisms we hear on a regular basis, they originated in the Bible. Leviticus can be a challenging read to say the least…I encourage you to spend your time in it considering the 5 Ws (who? what? when? where? why?) and see if God doesn’t speak truth to you through it. If you are up to date and took notice, Leviticus 16 is super powerful. In the OT, humanity had not yet been saved by Jesus, so we learn a lot about how our oldest ancestors learned to live. In this case, the Lord transfers the people’s sins to the head of a goat!
Of course, we are also in the book of Mark in the NT, the 2nd of the 4 gospels. You will recognize some of the stories we read in Matthew in Mark, Luke and John. They are all accounts of Jesus’s life from different perspectives. (Matthew was a tax-collector, Luke was a doctor, etc.)
If you’re looking for more, check out two books I have recently read; “The Prodigal God” by Tim Keller and “30 Days to Understanding the Bible” by Max Anders.
I pray we continue to put the Word before the world each day and live out Matthew 11:28-30. If you have this option, why do life alone?
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.””
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.11.28-30.nlt
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.11.28-30.nlt
YBIC,
DE
@dustincelliott 