Today: September 6, 2010

Yom Kippur

Posted: Fri 10th October 2008 2.52 PM | Author: David Soakell

The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to atone for the sins of the past year.

According to the Rabbis, on Rosh Hashanah God has judged most of mankind and has recorded his judgement in the Book of Life. But He has given a 10 day reprieve. On Yom Kippur the Book of Life is closed and sealed. Those that have repented for their sins are granted a good and happy New Year. Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. This holiday is instituted at Leviticus 23:26 as you will read in the below Scripture.

On Yom Kippur, the judgement entered in the Book of Life is sealed. This day is, essentially, your last appeal, your last chance to change the judgement, to demonstrate your repentance and make amends. In ancient times, one day of the year, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, to put the blood of the sacrificed animal on the altar as a sin offering. Through faith, obedience to God's precise instructions resulted in atonement, or covering, for sin. Today, Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and reflecting upon one's sin.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God. For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. (Leviticus 23:26-30)

"Yom Kippur" (Day of Atonement) is once again upon us. Could this day be a good day for today's Church to reflect on its attitude towards Israel and today's Jewish people? Perhaps we could increase our intercession for those within the Church who teach a different doctrine regarding Israel's election? But how do we pray regarding the nation of Israel? May we always pray in line with Scripture. Deuteronomy 10:12 states, "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." May this be our prayers for both Israel and the Church at this solemn time.

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