The framework for this series was from an article that was posted by Yehuda Frank at https://allisrael.com/forgiveness-yom-kippur-and-the-messiah-s-atoning-sacrifice .
The are 4 proofs that support God rejecting Israel’s Yom Kippur sacrifice.
- The lot of the Lord was in the left hand.
- The crimson strap remained crimson.
- The western light was out.
- The doors of the Temple were open in the morning.
In this post, we are going to study the idea of “Casting Lots”. Simply stated, this is a chance decision by drawing straws or casting pebbles. In today’s vernacular, “Let’s roll the dice!” This hardly seems like a reasonable solution to a serious consideration. But…
Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Remember, God Himself commanded the Israelites to divide the land according to lots in Numbers 26:55-56 Be sure that the land is distributed by lot. What each group inherits will be according to the names for its ancestral tribe. Each inheritance is to be distributed by lot among the larger and smaller groups.” This same concept is restated in Numbers 34:13.
Saul was chosen as Israel’s first king by lot in 1 Samuel 10. Casting lots sniffed out Jonah at sea. Casting lots was a common practice in Scripture for consequential decisions.
Imagine that, the first time the concept of “Casting Lots” is noted in the Bible is in Leviticus. The context is the role of Aaron, the High Priest, and a Yom Kippur sacrifice per the Mosaic Law.
Leviticus 16:8-10 And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel. And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the LORD and use it as a sin offering, but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel.
But who is Azazel? The word is used only four times in the Bible. By most accounts, the word has an uncertain meaning. The text seems to indicate Azazel is an entity.
Leviticus 16:26a And he who lets the goat go to Azazel…
The Book of Enoch offers insight into the Watcher, Azazel. Yes, Enoch is an extra biblical book. The book was on Noah’s Ark and survived. The original King James Version included the Book of Enoch. Jude 1 quotes the Book of Enoch. The early Christian church recognized the Book of Enoch until the 4th century. According to Enoch, Azazel is a fallen angel.
Enoch 8:1-2 And Azazel taught men to make swords, and daggers, and shields, and breastplates. And he showed them the things after these, and the art of making them; bracelets, and ornaments, and the art of making up the eyes, and of beautifying the eyelids, and the most precious stones, and all kinds of colored dyes. And the world was changed. And there was great impiety, and much fornication, and they went astray, and all their ways became corrupt.
So Azazel introduced weapons of war, jewelry, make up, cosmetics, more jewelry, fashion, seduction… Azazel was found guilty.
Enoch 9:6 See then what Azazel has done; how he has taught all iniquity on the earth and revealed the eternal secrets that are made in Heaven.
Enoch 10:4-6 And further the Lord said to Raphael: “Bind Azazel by his hands and his feet and throw him into the darkness. And split open the desert, which is in Dudael, and throw him there. And throw on him jagged and sharp stones and cover him with darkness. And let him stay there forever. And cover his face so that he may not see the light. And so that, on the Great Day of Judgment, he may be hurled into the fire.
Enoch 10:8 And the whole Earth has been ruined by the teaching of the works of Azazel; and against him write: ALL SIN.”
Azazel is the essence of sin. The scapegoat was a symbol for the totality of sin for the people of Israel. Take sin back to its teacher.
Azazel or the scapegoat was designated by the High Priest to take away the sins of the nation Israel. The sins of the people were transferred to the goat and lead away for removal.
Leviticus 16:21-22 And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.
