Why did Aaron in the Holy Bible Leviticus chapter 16 verse 8 take two goats for sacrifice?

Answer 1

Sacrifices existed as an integral part of Old Testament Law (An important aspect of the relationship between God and humanity). The OT laid down complex regulations by which the guilt of sin could be removed through the sacrificial system. Particular emphasis was placed upon the role of the high priest, who was required to make annual atonement for the sins of the people. Chapter 16 provide specific instructions regarding the atonement sin offering(the sin offering made atonement for unintentional sins under the covenant). Lev. 16:7-10 provide the specifics details.

7 He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 8 Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9 And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord's lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering. 10 But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness.

ANOTHER ANSWER:

One study of Leviticus 16 reveals the plan of Salvation through God's annual Holy Day or "High Day" Sabbaths. One goat pictures the "slain Lamb of God," Jesus Christ. The shed blood of which, Aaron, who then represents the "Risen Christ ascended into heaven" [Aaron entered into the Most Holy Place] with the slain lamb's blood to intercede for the sins of the people.

"...it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that He could be our Merciful and Faithful HIGH PRIEST before God. He could then offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people." (Heb.2:17 NLT New Living Translation)

"That is why we have a Great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God... This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same temptations we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our Gracious God. There we will receive His Mercy, and we will find Grace to help us when we need it." (Heb.4:14-16 NLT)

"Now a high priest is A MAN CHOSEN to represent other human beings in their dealings with God... That is why he has to offer sacrifices, both for their sins and for his own sins. And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. HE HAS TO BE CALLED BY GOD for his work, JUST AS AARON WAS. That is why Christ did not exalt Himself to become High Priest. No, HE WAS CHOSEN BY GOD, who said to Him, 'You are My Son. Today I have become your Father.' And in another message God said to Him, 'You ARE A PRIEST FOREVER in the line of Melchizedek.'" (Heb.5:1-6 NLT)

"...GOD QUALIFIED HIM AS A PERFECT HIGH PRIEST, and He became the Source of Eternal Salvation for all those who obey Him. And God designated Him to be a High Priest in the line of Melchizedek." (verses 9-10)

When Aaron comes back out of the Most Holy Place, after interceding and communing with God [from the Mercy Seat upon the Ark of the Covenant] with the slain lamb's blood for the sins of the people... He then pictured THE RETURNING CHRIST FROM HEAVEN!

It's at this time that a "strong man" laid hold of the "second goat;" upon which Aaron laid his hand upon the goat's head -- CONFESSING ALL THE SINS of the world UPON HIM. The "second goat" pictures SATAN THE DEVIL, the true "Originator and Father of sin" ["...sin is the transgression of the Law, the Ten Commandments" - I John 3:4]:

"...He was a MURDERER from the beginning... There is no Truth in him. When he LIES, it is consistent with his character; for HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF LIES." (John 8:44 NLT)

In the same manner, when Jesus Christ returns to the earth [Revelation chapter 19]... shall a strong angel [Michael, perhaps?] lay hold of Satan the Devil [chapter 20]:

"Then I saw an angel come down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. He seized the Dragon - that Old Serpent, the Devil, Satan - and bound him in chains for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he would be released again for a little while." (Rev.20:1-3 NLT)

When Jesus returns to earth from heaven [as Aaron returned from the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle in the wilderness]... He will lay all the sins of the world that He has borne, upon the head of Satan [the "azazel" goat]. And, like the "second goat" of Leviticus 16, he shall be "removed from the presence of the people" [the nations of the world] during Christ's thousand year "Sabbath" rule over the earth.

The "Day of Atonement" [At Onement] is one of God's seven annual Holy Day Sabbaths that "picture God's plan of Salvation"... and that are totally CHRIST-CENTERED. The Day of Atonement follows on the heels of the "Feast of Trumpets," that pictures THE DAY OF CHRIST's RETURN to the earth "at the last trump."

And when Christ returns [the Feast of Trumpets]... and lays the sins of the world upon the head of Satan and banishes him from further rule of the world and from deceiving of the nations for a thousand years [the Day of Atonement] -- THEN the thousand year rule of Christ on the earth begin in earnest [the Feast of Tabernacles]. At the conclusion of which comes the "Last Great Day" of God's plan -- JUDGMENT DAY!

The "two goats" of Leviticus 16 are NOT SACRIFICED! Only "one" of them is. The One that pictures the "slain Christ" for the sins of the world, brought on by Satan the Devil. Satan is SPIRIT... a "fallen" ANGEL... and HE CAN'T DIE. And neither is the "second goat" killed... as Satan isn't to be killed.

Jesus Christ, however, who was and is the WORD of God and was also SPIRIT -- BECAME FLESH AND BLOOD for the express purpose of DYING for the Love and Sake, for the Redemption and Salvation of His creation.

That's why Aaron took "two goats." God was revealing His plan of Salvation to His people. Aaron "cast lots" and it was God who CHOSE WHICH GOAT was to be slain.

"He is to cast sacred lots to determine which goat will be sacrificed to the LORD... The goat chosen to be sacrificed to the LORD WILL BE REPRESENTED BY AARON AS A SIN OFFERING." (Lev.16:8-9 NLT)

Aaron, the "mortal" high priest, who pictures Christ as our High Priest, could not be literally sacrificed as Christ was... so the "chosen goat" became the "slain Christ." And the then living Aaron became the picture of the risen Christ [High Priest] who ascended into heaven to intercede for the sins of the people.