Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement)

Posted by On September 09, 2021 0 Comment

By Les’a Cole

Does Yom Kippur apply to 21st century believers?

As parents, do we expect our children to obey us? Should they obey the first time we say something? What if we repeat the instruction three times, are we very intent on their obedience?

This is exactly what YHVH has done concerning His festivals. He has repeated the instruction 3 times! And He even adds the word “forever”! He does not say we are only to follow His instructions until … Jesus is resurrected … until modern times. He states that Yom Kippur is for all to follow forever, regardless of whether one is a native born or a sojourner.

  1. “This shall be a permanent statute (a statute to you forever, ESV) for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you,” Lev 16:29 NASB
  2. Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict [deny, humble yourselves, fast] yourselves and present a food offering to the LORD,” Lev 23:27-28, ESV.
  3. “Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land,” Lev 25:9, ESV.

YHVH does not give us ordinances (regulations) to be mean or harsh with us – He gives His instructions that we might walk in a more pleasing manner before Him. And there is a huge benefit to our conducting ourselves according to His guidelines, He blesses.

  1. “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law [instruction/ Torah] of the LORD [YHVH]!” Ps 119:1
  2. “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD [YHVH] your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD [YHVH] your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. Deut 28:1 ESV. (Read the rest of Dt 28 to see ALL of His blessings for obedience!)
  3. Yeshua Himself said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him,” John 14:23,

Yom Kippur begins WAednesday, 09/15/2021, at sundown!!!

Throughout the month of Elul, we have been preparing ourselves for Yom Kippur. We have looked at ourselves introspectively. We have interceded. We have fasted. We have seen YHVH, our Heavenly Commander in Chief, answer our entreaties. As we conclude these days of preparation for Yom Kippur, let us ponder Yom Kippur’s being the rehearsal of the Great Day of Judgment.

Sunday evening begins the Yom Kippur fast. Many wonder: how should I fast? Orthodox Jews do not eat or drink for the 25 hours. Others, with health challenges, cannot fast at all. However, we encourage everyone to give up at least a favorite food. Personally, we drink only water and thin liquids during this fast. Yom Kippur is not only a memorial but also a dress rehearsal for the Day of Judgment when we will all appear before YHVH and all things hidden will be exposed.

Let’s use this final day of preparation to help ‘clean up our acts’ spiritually…. to reflect on His intervention in our lives … to seek God … to pray for others, for our families, our nation, and Israel. Remember others depend upon our prayers!!

Exercise: greet one another with “Tzom Kal!” (In English: “May your fast be easy – and may your day be special before Him!”)

Prayer:·

“O, Lord, our God, how majestic are You! Thank You for these days of preparation, of Teshuvah (of turning to You in a greater way). Help us to seek You with more passion, to walk more fully in Your presence. Bring Your healing touch to our country – we continuously beseech You to turn the hearts of Americans to You. Turn Israelis to You – heal Israel, bring Your peace to Your land. Prepare the hearts and minds of Your followers for Yom Kippur. We love You, YHVH. In the precious Name of our soon-coming Messiah, we pray.”

 

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