What the Bible says about Nation's Sins
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Leviticus 16:21-22 The Bible does not say that a demon is responsible for all sin, an idea that comes from the apocryphal Book of Enoch. Certainly, Satan will bear the penalty for his sins, but they are nowhere in view in Leviticus 16. What is in view are the nation's sins confessed onto the azazel—sins that the people committed, for which they are responsible. Our sins are our responsibility, and we bear them unless a substitute is provided to bear them for us, which Jesus Christ did. Eve tried to blame Satan for her sin, yet God punished her because she disobeyed God. Similarly, God's curse on Satan in Eden comes because of his sin of deception—what he did (Genesis 3:14)—but not for Eve's sin. Jesus teaches that our own faculties cause us to sin; the Son of God puts the genesis of sin in each individual's heart (Matthew 5:29-30; 12:34-35; 15:18-19; 18:8-9; Mark 7:20-23; 9:43-47). James says that temptation would be powerless against us if we were not drawn away by our own desires, which gives birth to sin (James 2:14-15). Satan sins when he amplifies those desires through his broadcast, but what we choose to do after listening to him is on us, not on him. God will judge Satan, not because God has ascribed all human sins to him, but because Satan has sinned. The gospel of the Kingdom of God teaches that God's ultimate solution to sin does not hinge on anything involving Satan. His solution is to create sons and daughters in His image who will not sin—who will not be drawn away by their desires. Certainly, Satan influences and deceives; these are his sins. We should downplay neither his power nor his guilt. But as part of God's plan, He has given mankind the responsibility to choose, which is why Scripture warns us so frequently about Satan's deceptions and wiles. We should take those warnings very seriously so we are not deceived. We are warned so we can consider our choices, such as what sources we use to interpret Scripture. But if Satan is responsible for our sins, then we are blameless before God without Christ's sacrifice. Jesus Christ and His incredible work get edged out of the picture, and Satan's power gets magnified. David C. Grabbe Azazel: Endings Related Topics: Accepting Responsibility for Our Sins | Accepting Responsibility for Our Transgressions | Assigning Blame | Avoiding Temptation | Azazel: Endings | Binding of Satan not for Expiation of Sins | Blame for Sin | Blame, Assigning | Book of Enoch | Desires of the Flesh | Nation's Sins | Satan's Deception

Hebrews 9:7 Verse 7 says the priest offered (or brought) blood for himself and the people's sins, and verse 23 underscores that the part of the ceremony involving bringing blood into the Most Holy Place was for purification or cleansing of the objects. This idea is also found in verse 22: "according to the law almost all things are purified with blood.” The Levitical priest used animal blood, but our High Priest entered the Holy of Holies in heaven with His own blood. His blood provides an entrance into the presence of the Supreme God. Verse 23 says the heavenly things had to be purified, as though simply being in the same universe as humanity meant they had to be cleansed. But Christ's blood provides a cleansing so complete that we now can “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16) His blood appeases the Father, so we can “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience” (Hebrews 10:22). David C. Grabbe Azazel: Endings Related Topics: Azazel: Endings | Blood Provides Symbolic Cleansing and Purification | Cleansing of Consciences | Nation's Sins

 

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