SUCH were the terms Jehovah enjoined upon the children of Israel as their appointed part on the day of Atonement. This day, when atonement was made once every year for all their sins, was to be observed beyond all others.
He against Whom they sinned settled with Moses and Aaron the way and means of meeting His holy and righteous claims, as well as their need, by a victim that was slain and its blood sprinkled on and before the throne. The responsibility to carry it out rested entirely with Aaron; declaring, as it emphatically did, that by death and shed blood alone atonement could be made. To fail in this, the people and all connected with them must remain un-cleansed.
Yet, when the victim was slain and the blood had been sprinkled on that memorable and unique day, there was the people's part, in order that a Sabbath of rest might be enjoyed. Though the atoning work was purely outside and apart from themselves, God jealously took care that neither levity nor careless indifference should appear amongst those favored to share the benefit of forgiveness and cleansing. If affliction of soul taught the nature of the evil involving death, which their state deserved, yet God would have them conscious that they must do "no work," but only and absolutely rest in the work of atonement done for them.
Surely in its full sense, this affliction of soul and no work will be solemnly fulfilled in the coming day, when Israel with true sorrow of heart will mourn for their sin, followed by a Sabbath of rest in the enjoyment of forgiveness, after looking on their Savior and Messiah, Whom they pierced.
Meanwhile it is important for souls to learn that atonement for sin is no longer set forth in type and shadow (much less in any ritual of to-day); for Christ has come, and by His death and shed blood made full atonement. He on Calvary's cross became the full and perfect antitype to the slain victim and sprinkled blood claimed by God. There the One Who knew no sin and did no sin was made sin, when He by the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God. Alone on the cross, in the agony of His soul, He suffered as the true Daysman, sustaining and meeting what was due to the majesty and righteousness of God, as well as the sinner's deep need. Thus, and thus only, was atonement made.
Moreover, if Aaron entered the earthly sanctuary of the Divine presence with the blood of the slain victim, Jesus the Son of God entered heaven by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. Christ in heaven, seated on the right hand of God, is the satisfying proof that atonement is once and forever made and accepted by God. This abiding fact, dear reader, was a settled reality between God and Christ, more than eighteen hundred years ago, and is made known in the gospel for your acceptance. Being so, have you made it your own? And what has it produced in your soul?
If Christ has perfectly done the work for souls, no less does the Holy Spirit do a work in souls, corresponding to "affliction of soul, and no work." "Ye must be born again" is a solemn, abiding fact, spoken by the Son of God. Everyone entering the kingdom of God, or going to heaven, must be born of the Spirit. This is His unalterable word. He, too, as the risen Savior, told His disciples at the end of Luke's Gospel, that when they had received the Holy Spirit, they were to preach repentance and remission of sins in His name. This they did, as seen in Acts 2:3838Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38), when Peter, filled with the Spirit, preached, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of 'Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." The result was that three thousand passed through affliction of soul, received in faith the promised blessing, and were added to the new assembly formed by the Holy Ghost.
The apostle Paul declared the same truth, "Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
Repentance, places the soul before God in the reality of its true condition, and faith in the Lord Jesus, give the benefits of His atoning work in enjoyed forgiveness and acceptance before God, in light, holiness, and peace. May the reader not rest satisfied with a mere assent to the atoning death of Christ, and formal admission of His shed blood, but in true affliction of soul, and faith without work, rest where God rests, in the atoning work of His dear Son. Thus the believer will enter upon a present Sabbath of soul-rest, followed by complete abiding rest and glory with his blessed Lord and Savior, the rest of God.