Impromptu Lesson on Yom Kippur
Divine lessons happen in spite of, or perhaps, because of, my lack of planning this year. In my weakness, grace is present.
Monday morning my son was reading a Jewish folk tale from his stack of Highlights magazines. When he asked me about Yom Kippur, I smiled realizing the perfect timing. A Jewish friend just introduced me to the holiday and Yom Kippur is this weekend. During the solemn, holy Day of Atonement, Jews fast, pray, and gather at the synagogue to seek forgiveness. Thankfully, I had enough information for an impromptu Bible lesson.
My son’s mind was engaged as we read Leviticus 16. Last year we toured a replica of the tabernacle so he had a visual remembrance of the altar and the holy of holies. Then we discussed the scapegoat carrying the sins of the people out into the wilderness.
What would happen to the poor animal? Bug said, “If I had a goat, I would not want it eaten by wild animals.” I agreed with him. Sin has consequences. Selfishness separates us from God and others. Choosing evil destroys and turns humans into beasts. The scapegoat represents these ideas vividly.
This might be heavy for a little boy, but the burden of needing forgiveness belongs to everyone. Lies, expectations, and judgments isolate us from each other. We need grace to love. Without it, life is lonely and hope is vanquished. Rich Mullins was not Jewish, but his song reminds me the lesson will continue.
When you love you walk on the water, just don’t stumble on the waves. We all want to go there something awful, but to stand there it takes some grace, because we are not as strong as we think we are.
Maybe we will celebrate Yom Kippur this year. I could use some prayer and forgiveness.
I’ve also found that our most meaningful and preciously remembered lessons have been the impromptu ones, where I’ve followed God’s gracious leading, or a child’s inspired questioning.
I do like to remember Yom Kippur, the culmination of Elul, each year. I have really enjoyed learning about the Biblical holidays over the last ten years or so. My family has celebrated quite a few of them with other Christian friends and family, and are amazed every time at how rich they are in spiritual object lessons, all of their directives pointing to our Lord Jesus in profoundly meaningful ways. We have been so encouraged and blessed to learn of their significance to our faith as Believers.
It sounds like you had a truly wonderful Bible lesson. I really enjoyed reading about it, thanks for sharing!
Just fyi, if you’re interested in learning more concerning the scapegoat analogy and on the beautiful, prophetic parallels showing forth Jesus as Messiah, our Great Atonement in Yom Kippur, see here:
http://biblicalholidays.com/messiah_in_yom_kippur.htm
Beth,
I haven’t studied biblical holidays very much, but it is something I want to add to our family life. We have celebrated Passover on a few occasions, and it is so full of meaning. As you stated, I’m sure the other ones are, too.
And thanks so much for the link!