Today we will go through the overall ritual in Leviticus 16 in greater detail. However, first we will establish a biblical pattern by looking briefly at another ritual God gave to Israel. Though it is commonly overlooked, the two goats follow the same pattern as the ritual for cleansing from leprosy. This ritual also uses two animals, except it uses two birds instead of two goats:
This was the ritual God commanded for the cleansing of leprosy. There were other sacrifices that went along with this ritual, but the key point is the use of two animals with differing roles, used together for the sake of cleansing and removal. One animal was killed so its blood could be used to cleanse. The second animal was left alive and set free to symbolize the removal of the leprosy.
The two birds represent two needed and related functions, yet there is nothing to suggest that they typify two opposing beings, or that the second bird was a type of Satan, or even that the second bird was revealed as the source of the leprosy. Instead, both were sacrificial animals, and each was used for a different role within the overall ritual. The blood of the first bird was shed to provide cleansing. The second bird was released for the complete removal of the leprosy. Its death is not shown because that wasn't its role. We might tend to lump together the cleansing and removal as being the same thing, but it is important to notice that God makes those elements distinct in this pattern that He establishes.
Notice that Jesus fulfilled the roles of both birds simultaneously. He both cleansed the leper, and caused the leprosy to be removed. He fulfilled the roles of both birds at the same time, and then sent the man to the priest for the other required offerings.
