Article October 14, 1933 Issue

The Day of Atonement

MABEL REED HYZER

Throughout the early history of the Jews the demand for atonement for sin was prominent. Aaron was the first high priest, and his son succeeded to that honor, and the Aaronic priesthood, as it was called, came to perform important religious rites and ceremonies.

Reading in the book of Leviticus of the elaborate preparations for extensive rituals on the day of atonement, one is impressed with the recognition of the need for holiness on the part of the early Jews. The appointing of stated times for purification from sin, the cleanliness demanded of the priests, and the sacrificial gifts indicate that the material ceremony typified, though faintly, a spiritual fact beyond their understanding at that time. And their efforts toward purification, when they were faithful in their worship of God, yielded proportionate results in the way of progress and better living.

In the epistle to the Hebrews, reference is made many times to the spiritual high priest typified in the life of Jesus. Familiarity with that part of the book of Leviticus which has to do with the duties of the priesthood may help one better to understand the book of Hebrews. The letter to the Hebrews was written at a time when there was an inclination on the part of some of the converted Jews to return to the Judaic religion. This epistle shows clearly that only the Christ presents the spiritual priesthood, and that no human intercession is necessary or possible with reference to obtaining forgiveness of sin or making the seeker after Truth at one with God.

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