2. Instructions concerning the ritual 16:11-28

More detail follows in this section that helped Aaron know exactly how to conduct the cultic ritual.

 The blood-sprinkling rites 16:11-19

Verses 11-14 describe the purification offering that Aaron was to offer for himself and the other priests. The act of offering incense represented the act of offering prayer that God would mercifully accept the sacrifices offered to cover the nation's sins.

"The purpose of the incense-smoke was to create a screen which would prevent the High Priest from gazing upon the holy Presence."¹⁷⁶

The second stage of the ceremony, the casting of lots over the goats, was rather simple and apparently required little explanation. The third stage was the sacrificing of one of the goats as a sin offering for the people (vv. 15-19). This sacrifice cleansed the sanctuary of the defilement that the sins of the people caused making it possible for a holy God to continue to dwell among sinful people (vv. 16, 19-20).

The sprinkling of the blood on the mercy seat once (v. 15) was for the expiation of the sins of the people.¹⁷⁷The sprinkling of the blood before the mercy seat seven times (v. 19) was for the expiation of the sanctuary from the people's sins. The high priest then sprinkled blood on and before the altar of burnt offerings (vv. 18-19).

 The scapegoat 16:20-22

These verses describe the fourth and most striking phase of this day's ceremony. The second goat symbolically bore the sins of the people taking them to an unclean place far from God. There is difference of opinion among the authorities about what "Azazel"means (vv. 8, 10, 26). The etymology of this Hebrew word is obscure. Some believe it means a rocky precipice or some other place where the goat died or that it refers to the goat's function. Others think it refers to a demon to whom the Israelites sins were returned so it would not accuse them. Whatever its exact meaning, the symbolism is clear enough. The live goat symbolically removed the sins of the Israelites from God's presence.

The two goats used in the ritual represented two aspects of the atonement that God provided. Both animals taught the Israelites that a sinless agent was removing their sins by vicarious atonement. The goat slain represented the judgment on sin that resulted in death necessary for atonement. The goat sent off into the wilderness with the sinner's guilt imputed to it symbolized the removal of guilt (cf. 14:4-7).¹⁷⁸

There were two forms of the laying on of hands in the Old Testament. The Jews performed one by placing two hands on persons in nonsacrificial contexts. They performed the other by placing one hand on animals when they sacrificed them (v. 21). The two-handed form emphasized who the recipient of the ritual action was. The one-handed form drew attention to the person who put his hand on the animal.¹⁷⁹Another view is that the imposition of two hands intensified the idea of transferring guilt, specifically for intentional sins.¹⁸⁰

 The cleansing of the participants 16:23-28

The rituals for cleansing those who had had contact with the sacrifices concludes this section.

This entire ceremony pointed out very clearly the holiness of God and, in contrast, the sinfulness of man. Those involved in procuring atonement had to follow scrupulously the directions God gave for approaching Him in worship.