The Significance of the Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement begins at sundown, at the end of the ninth day of Tishri, the seventh month of the bible year. This year it began on the 27th September until the 28th 2020.
Of all the Jewish holy occasions, it is the most solemn. One can read all about in Leviticus 16, how it was observed in the Tabernacle and the Temple.

The Ten days of Repentance

Between New Years Day and Yom Kippur were ten days, know as the above, where every Jew searches his heart, and seeks to be reconciled with God and his neighbour.

On Yom Kippur itself a fast day of 24 hours,  is spent seeking God for atonement and forgiveness for all their sins. For them “The Day of Reckoning and Judgement.” Five days after Yom Kippur, comes Succoth, or the Feast of Tabernacles, lasting eight days.

The word of Yom Kippur comes from the Hebrew word “Kapper” ” to cover.”
According to this meaning, God covers the sin’s of the people by the blood of the sacrifice. It actually points to the Gospel !

“Christ died for our sins” 1 Corinthians 15:3   

The high priest assisted by 500 priests performed solemn and elaborate rites, for 7 days in preparation. He washed his body five times, ten times his hands and feet, in addition to the killing of two goats, lambs and bullocks, the red heifer was killed and it’s blood, sprinkled for the cleansing of the people from the  defilement of sin.
Numbers 16 and Hebrews 9:13

The climax came when the high priest, went into the most holy place, where the  Ark of the Covenant was placed. The shekinah glory of God was there, the  visible presence of God, by a cloud. When the High Priest came out alive, the  people were relieved, for they then knew their sins had been accepted and forgiven.

As Christians, we have the assurance that Christ fulfilled the law, of good  things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, but with the shedding of His blood at Calvary, that cannot be revoked.
It is Christ who has become our atonement, in Him all the law has been fulfilled. So

Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto him that look for Him, shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28

In Judaism, there is no assurance for sins, for only the son of God can give forgiveness to those who come to Him in faith. To  a Christian, to depend on ones merits is a bleak prospect. Deep within Israel’s heart  though, she knows  her atonement is in Messiah. By His stripes we shall be healed, Eternal One, it is time that thou shouldn’t create Him anew!

Here the hope of Israel and the Hope of the Christian emerge. Israel is waiting  for Christ’s first coming, where the believer in the Lord Jesus, knows  that He already came and saved him. He looks forward to His second coming, when He shall establish His kingdom upon the earth. On that day, the Hope of  Israel and the Hope of the Church will become the “One New Man.” The King  of Glory will take His place.

So we  see there is a great parallel, of coming to gather. Understanding the law,  and the New Testament helps us to pray with understanding. This is a great time and opportunity to draw closer and identify with our Jewish brothers and  sisters.

Prayers of Repentance

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love, according to Your great compassion. Blot out my transgressions, wash away all my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of my salvation, and  grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways and sinners will turn back to You.
Psalm 51: 1-3, 10-13

Prayer for Church And Nation

Father, have mercy on your Church, We have been half hearted and asleep, and  failed to fulfil your commands and precepts. We have compromised in allowing  secular and humanistic thinking to infiltrate it. We are sorry for not recognising our Jewish heritage.
We  humbly ask that you might raise up godly wise leaders, men of stature, to  rise above the parapet, to be a voice in the media, to bring a message of hope,  love and salvation, to a broken society in these uncertain days.  And I tell you  Peter, and on this rock, I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades will  not overcome it (Matthew 16: 18).

Prayer For Israel

We blow the shofar prophetically, just like it is done at the end of Yom Kippur, a clarion call to the Nations, for the Jewish people to return home according to Your Word. For the final ingathering of those who are to be saved, a mighty harvest, Jew and Gentile alike, into the body of Christ.

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you,
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

“So I will put my Name  upon the Israelites and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6: 24 – 27

Pam Yates