A) INTRODUCTION.

B) IDENTIFICATION OF THE SCAPEGOAT.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

 

Let’s go to Matthew 18:7:  “Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”  In other words, whomsoever causes one to sin, it is worse for him.  Luke puts it this way in 17:1:  “Then said He unto the disciples, It is impossible but the offences will come:  but woe unto him, through whom they come!”

 

Second Corinthians 4:4 teaches us that Satan “blinded the minds” of those who refused to believe.  He thus, will be responsible for their sins.  Compared to Ephesians 2:2, believers who were once in this group, are now free from Satan’s deceptions.  Plus, “the spirit [Satan] that now worketh in” the disobedient, will once again be responsible for their sins.  And Isaiah 14:16-17 tells us that once Satan has them in his grasp, he does not let them go easily.

 

However, consider that the wicked will also be responsible for their own sins, even though or if another helped them to commit the sin[s].  This is played out from the very beginning.  In Genesis 3:13-14, we see that Satan tempted Eve.  And Eve fell into the temptation.  Both parties are guilty.  “And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the Commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.  Leviticus 5:17.  “Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.”  Leviticus 24:15.  “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”  Ezekiel 18:20.  “Because they. . . caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity. . . they shall bear their iniquity.”  Ezekiel 44:12.  “The wags of sin is death.”  Romans 6:23.

 

 

B) IDENTIFICATION OF THE SCAPEGOAT

 

 

In Leviticus, Chapter 16, in particular, verses 7-8, we have listed “two goats.”  One is “for the LORD” and one will be “the scapegoat.”

 

Verse Nine becomes very important.  The “LORD’S” goat will be “offered” as “a sin offering.  It is very clear Biblically that Christ bears all the obedient believer’s sins (Isa. 53:5; 2Co. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; Heb. 9:28; 1Pe. 2:24).  And verse 15 teaches us that in bearing the faithful’s confessed sins, Christ will die for the redeemed.  Verse 16 teaching us that this is a type of “atonement.”

 

By contrast, the scapegoat is “to make an atonement,” Leviticus 16:10, for unconfessed sins.   And Leviticus 16:21, teaches us that “Aaron [representing Christ] shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat [scapegoat], and confess over him all the iniquities of the children.”  In other words, Christ transfers all of the confessed sins of believers upon the head of Satan; who is the real representative of the scapegoat.

 

As pointed out in the introduction, Satan will die for his sins and all the sins which he inspired anyone else to commit.  According to First John 1:7, Christ’s blood “cleanseth us [believers] from all sin.”  See also First Corinthians 15:3.  And Hebrews 9:22 teaches us the “without [the] shedding of blood [there] is no remission [of sin].”

 

In Leviticus 16:8, the Hebrew for “scapegoat” is “H5799; Azazel,” and in Jewish thought is “a demon or evil spirit.”  In particular, Satan.  And in Psalm 7:15 we learn that “He [Satan] made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.”  Isaiah 14:15 confirms that this “pit” which Satan made is “hell.”  Also, Psalm 7:16 tells us that, “His [Satan’s] mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own” head.

 

Eventually, Satan’s “head” Genesis 3:15, will be cast “into the lake of fire and brimstone,” Revelation 20:10, which “is the second [eternal] death.”  Revelation 20:15.  Because “sin shall not rise a second time,” Nahum 1:9.  Because, Christ will “put away sin [forever] by the sacrifice of Himself,” Hebrews 9:26.