land of honey: The Beginner's Guide to Yom Kippur (Day of Cleansing)

This is a guide to learning about and taking part in the Biblical holiday of the Day of Cleansing, also known as Yom Kippur or the Day of Covering, or the Day of Atonement. I believe this holiday that God told his people to celebrate and remember is still relevant today for New Testament believers. As with the other Bible holidays, it has historic and prophetic significance and points to the work of the Messiah, which we will learn about in this post. This guide will help you with the basics of Yom Kippur, it's spiritual significance, and how you can observe this set apart time in your life.

Even those familiar with the Biblical holidays haven't necessarily heard of the Day of Cleansing. Why are we referring to Yom Kippur as that instead of it's common English name, the Day of Atonement? Simply because if we study the Hebrew words and their context we see that atone is not necessarily the best fit for what happens at this significant day of Scripture. Animal blood from sacrifices was never about 'atoning' for the sins of God's people, but the Temple system was used for cleansing and as a covering. According to N.T. Wright, cleansing would be a more appropriate word choice.

Yom Kippur shares the same root word, kapporeth, with mercy seat, which was essentially the lid of the ark of the covenant in the Tabernacle. On the Day of Cleansing, the high priest would sprinkle blood from the sacrifice onto this lid, or mercy seat. Scripture tells us that God would speak from above this lid (Exodus 25:22, Numbers 7:89).

Please note that while the Bible gives instructions for sacrifices the Levitical priests were to make during Yom Kippur that doesn't mean we are to sacrifice animals today. Because the Messiah's priesthood is of the Melchizedek order, the Levitical priesthood is no longer in operation. This means that observing Yom Kippur today as a believer in Messiah will look different than the animal sacrifices that Scripture called for in the Tabernacle. However that doesn't mean Yom Kippur is done away with or not relevant to us - Hebrews 8:5 tells us that the priesthood was a shadow of how things work in heaven. That means we have a lot to learn from this Biblical holiday!

Looking at Yom Kippur from this perspective sheds new light onto what is often seen in Christian and Messianic circles as sort of a redundant holiday. After all, weren't our sins forgiven when the Messiah died on Passover? Why would they then need atoned for later? If we celebrate the Day of Cleansing from this perspective, it's not about repeating what happened on Passover, or needing an additional animal sacrifice to cover sins. Passover is about forgiveness and freedom, and on Yom Kippur we are called to go deeper in our faith. There is connection between these holidays but they are not the same. On Passover the Israelites left Egyptian slavery, and on Yom Kippur their land was returned to them! We are not called to stop at Passover.

What you need to know about the Day of Cleansing:

-It is a one-day holiday that typically happens in the early fall (in the northern hemisphere).

-Yom Kippur is in the Bible in passages such as Leviticus 23:27-32, Leviticus 16, and Numbers 29:7-11. It is also talked about in the New Testament in Acts 27:9, Romans 3, and the book of Hebrews 9:3-10.

-It is considered a Sabbath day, which means we are not to work. Like the weekly Sabbath, this is a day of rest.

-The Hebrew name for this holiday is Yom Kippur. It is often referred to as the Day of Atonement, but a better translation would be the Day of Cleansing or Covering.

-It is a day filled with reflection, repentance, and worship of YHWH.

Spiritual significance of the Day of Covering:

-Historically the Day of Cleansing was the only day of the year when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle.

-The jubilee year was announced by a shofar blowing on Yom Kippur. This meant a forgiveness of debt, restoration of family property, and restoration of financial equity. (Leviticus 25:9-10)

-The Biblical 'judgment day' is expected to happen on Yom Kippur. I think it's likely that this would look like the jubilee year, where the focus isn't on our shortcomings and mistakes but on restoration and release from bondage.

-On Yom Kippur the priest is directed to symbolically lay the sins of Israel onto a goat, which is then sent into the wilderness. This symbolizes a departure of sin from God's people.

How to observe the Day of Cleansing:

-Take the day off of work, errands, homework, and household chores. Since this holiday is considered a Sabbath, we aren't to do any work on it and treat it as we would the weekly Sabbath. Honor YHWH with your full attention on this day.

-Scripture says this is a day to 'afflict' our souls. The word for afflict (ana - Strongs 6031) means something like occupy or busy yourself or humble yourself. I believe that we are called to use this day to carefully examine our hearts, minds, and lifestyle choices and see if they are in accordance with what the Bible says or not, and repent as necessary! We are called to humble ourselves before the Living God on Yom Kippur. Judaism has taken 'afflict' to mean that, if possible, believers should fast all food and water for the duration of this day. Setting aside food, can be one way to afflict ourselves certainly, but a fast is not explicitly called for in Scripture.

-Spend time in prayer. In addition to confessing our sins, the Day of Cleansing is an appropriate time to ask God to cover people, situations, and circumstances with his mercy and to cleanse us of wrong doing.

-Gather with other believers, if possible. Attend congregation if that's an option or think about inviting friends and family over for Bible study, worship, or fellowship time.

-Worship. While the Day of Covering is a more solemn holiday, there is much to celebrate and give thanks for! Take joy in being truly forgiven! Celebrate the Messiah being the ultimate sacrifice, and thank the Father for using this special time to strengthen your relationship with him.

-Have a special meal. If you are planning to fast, have a meal prepared ahead of time to break the fast with.