Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Leviticus 16:29-18:30, Mark 7:24-8:10, Psalm 41:1-13, Proverbs 10:15-16

---

Jesus is the Way

There was one day each year when everything stopped. No work. No normal rhythm. No distractions. The tenth day of the seventh month.

The Day of Atonement.

Leviticus 16:29 says, “On the tenth day of the appointed month in early autumn, you must deny yourselves. You must not do any work…” (NLT).

“Deny yourselves.”

Other translations say, afflict your souls. This is not self-harm or punishment – it was humility. It was a day that everything else in the world was set aside to slow down and honor the One True God. With fasting and prayer they examined themselves before Him. They felt the weight of their sin as they submitted themselves. It was the one day Israel collectively admitted – We cannot fix ourselves.

And then came the command that is the most surprising: Do nothing.

Verse 31 calls it a “Sabbath of complete rest.” On the most spiritually serious day of the year, the people were forbidden to work. Why?

Because atonement is not earned.

While the nation humbled itself outside the veil, the High Priest entered alone. He carried blood into the Most Holy Place — into the very presence of God.

Verse 30 says, “On that day offerings of purification will be made for you, and you will be purified in the LORD’s presence from all your sins.” (NLT)

All.

Not some.
Not the small ones.
Not the manageable ones.

All.

And notice the phrase: in the LORD’s presence. This wasn’t just legal cleansing – it was relational restoration.

Sin separates. – Atonement restores.

Earlier in the chapter, two powerful things happen.

• Blood is brought before God.
• A scapegoat carries the sins of the people into the wilderness.

Two directions. ← 🐑 →

Sin covered before God.
Sin carried away from the people.

This was forgiveness and removal – Vertical and horizontal = Eternally

That is complete atonement.

But Leviticus ends with a sobering detail:

“…making them right with the LORD once each year.” (v.34 NLT)

Once each year – because it had to be repeated. It covered sin — but it did not permanently remove its root. Leviticus 16 was a rehearsal, a type and shadow of atonement for us today with Jesus as the Lamb of Fulfillment.

He did not enter an earthly tent like they did with the Tabernacle – He entered heaven itself.

He did not bring the blood of goats – He brought His own.

“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne…And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” -Revelation 5: 6, 9 (NLT)

And unlike the High Priest who returned year after year, Christ entered once — for all.

Leviticus 11–15 asked:

What do you eat?
What do you touch?
What spreads?
What flows?

Leviticus 16 asks:

What do you do when you realize you’re unclean?

And the answer is beautiful and wonderful – You rest while the High Priest works. Praise God!

That is the Gospel hidden in the Law. 💎

---

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes with God today to bask in His presence. Let this be a time of communion and rest. Praise Him, then ask:

• “Lord, what do you want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He reveals to you.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He whispers by His Holy Spirit – then do it!

Let today be a day of rest and renewal with the Lord. Open your heart to Him and let Him do what you cannot.

---

Prayer

Father, I confess that I still try to atone for myself at times. I try to work off what You already covered – not because I don’t trust You but because my flesh is easier to see at times. Teach me to humble my heart and seek You, instead of striving on my own. Teach me to rest while my High Priest intercedes for me. Thank You for cleansing me from all my sins. Thank You that the veil is torn and the work is finished. I receive what You have provided and I praise You! This I pray, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.