l were thus transferred to the sanctuary, and a special work
became necessary for their removal. God commanded that an atonement be
made for each of the sacred apartments. "He shall make an atonement for
the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and
because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for
the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst
of their uncleanness." An atonement was also to be made for the altar, to
"cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of
Israel."(690)

Once a year, on the great day of atonement, the priest entered the most
holy place for the cleansing of the sanctuary. The work there performed
completed the yearly round of ministration. On the day of atonement, two
kids of the goats were brought to the door of the tabernacle, and lots
were cast upon them, "one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the
scapegoat."(691) The goat upon which fell the lot for the Lord was to be
slain as a sin-offering for the people. And the priest was to bring his
blood within the veil, and sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat, and before the
mercy-seat. The blood was also to be sprinkled upon the altar of incense,
that was before the veil.

"And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and
confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all
their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the
goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the
wilderness: and the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a
land not inhabited."(692) The scapegoat came no more into the camp of
Israel, and the man who led him away was required to wash himself and his
clothing with water before returning to the camp.

The whole ceremony was designed to impress the Israelites with the
holiness of God and His abhorrence of sin; and, further, to show them that
they could not come in contact with sin without becoming polluted. Every
man was required to afflict his soul while this work of atonement was
going forward. All business was to be laid aside, and the whole
congregation of Israel were to spend the day in solemn humiliation before
God, with prayer, fasting, and deep searching of heart.

Important truths concerning the atonement are taught by the typical
service. A substitute was accepted in the sinner's stead; but the sin was
not canceled by the blood o