The
fire outside the camp, the altar of sacrifice for the priests, nations and
its sins. This was done outside the camp as it was considered a hideous
thing. "He is to cast lots for the two goats - one lot for the Lord and
the other for the scapegoat. Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to
the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as
the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making
atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat." Lev. 16:8-10
God
wanted the Israelites to see that He totally forgave their sins. A fit
priest was given the job of leading the goat around the tents of the tribes
of Israel so they understood that God had totally forgave them. It was a
symbolic move which illustrated God's love. He let them see it with their
own eyes, as he wanted them to know how much He loved them. After this, the
goat was led into the wilderness and was turned out, probably dying there.
As Jesus was considered the
scapegoat or sheep (some breed of sheep look like goats) for the sins of the
world. He was led before Pontius Pilate standing before the people bearing
all the sin, iniquity and shame of mankind. There was a procedure that was
done with these two goats. The high-priest took a tongue-shaped piece of
scarlet cloth and tied it around the horn of the goat, Azazel,
the "Scapegoat" and then tied the other side around the throat of the other
goat. This was how the sins were transferred as the scarlet cloth turned
white, showing the grace of God.
In Isaiah 1:17-20 " Wash
ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes;
cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed,
judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason
together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land; But if ye
refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the
Lord hath spoken it."
It is important to note
that Jesus is our refuge, rock and foundation that we are to stand on, but
also the scapegoat. He died for the forgiveness of sin. We, if we are like
Him will also forgive one another. Who we forgive is forgive. Who we do not
forgive is not forgiven, but then we need to understand that neither are we.
We as His body have been given the power of God to forgive sin as Jesus did
and does.