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WHEN HE-GOAT FOR
AZAZEL
ENCOUNTERS HE-GOAT FOR AZAZEL.
(From Leviticus 16:7-10, 20-22 and Isaiah
34:14 NEB).
THE HE-GOAT FOR AZAZEL▼
Two he-goats were required for the atonement of the sins of
the nation of Israel. One of the goats had all the sins and acts of rebellion of
the Israelites confessed upon it, after which it was then taken "into the
wilderness in charge of a man who is waiting ready." (Lev 16:21,22
NEB). It was
intended that this goat, bearing the iniquities of the nation, should die in the
wilderness.
QUESTION:
But what if one of these he-goats, sent out with the sins of the nation
confessed upon it, met with another ritual goat "for Azazel" that had been sent
into the wilderness at a previous annual ceremony? According to the meaning of
the arrangement, what is stated in Isaiah 34:14 NEB applies: "…and
he-goat shall encounter he-goat." In chapter 34 the prophet
Isaiah describes the judgement of The Lord God upon all nations of the world
("Edom"). They and their demon angels are forever abandoned by God for their
works of warring against His spirit creation of "Mount Zion" (Isaiah 34:8
Moffatt. Heb 12:22-24), and are thenceforth consigned to a barren wasteland of
unrequited sins as they come face to face with ("encounter") the same sins they
practiced in previous years. With unforgiven sins of the past coming face to
face with unforgiven sins of the present comes the realization that they have
become full-grown in wickedness! (2 Esdras 15:5-8 NEB).
AZAZEL▼:
A demon angel powerful against God who taught men and women
further acts
of Godlessness and unrighteousness by which to further
corrupt themselves.
In the book
of Hebrews it clearly teaches: "For the law contains but a shadow, and no
true image, of the good things which were to come… because sins can never be
removed by the blood of bulls and goats." (Heb 10:1,4 NEB).
Referring to
the now obsolete laws of that first covenant consisting in decrees, Hebrews 9:9
states: "The offerings and sacrifices there prescribed cannot give the
worshipper inward perfection." (NEB). And Hebrews 10:26,27 explains why:
"For if we wilfully persist in sin after receiving the knowledge
of the truth, no sacrifice for sins remain: only a terrifying
expectation of judgement and a fierce fire which will consume God's
enemies." (NEB). The Christ's sacrifice does not
remove wilful persistent sinning.
The
"torrents" of the nations of "Edom" are soon to be "turned into pitch". "No king
shall be acclaimed there, and all its princes shall come to naught." (See Isaiah
34:1-17 NEB).
14/3/84.
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