Steve Conover: Thank you for joining us for the Friends of Israel Today. I'm Steve Conover. With me is our host and teacher, Chris Katulka. I encourage you to take note of our website, foiradio.org. You can listen to over nine years worth of content on the site featuring Chris Katulka’s teaching and insightful interviews with a host of great guests. Again, that's foiradio.org. Today we're looking back at Yom Kippur.

Chris Katulka: That's right, Steve. We're going to actually study Yom Kippur from Leviticus chapter 16. We're also going to highlight, what did Israel deal with in these last few weeks as they were getting ready to honor the most significant holiday on their calendar, Yom Kippur, and also why do we have a Yom Kippur today? Why does Yom Kippur exist? So we're going to dive into what the scriptures teach from Leviticus as well to highlight all these important issues. Again, we're studying Yom Kippur.

Steve Conover: We look forward to it. But first in the news, in late August, Mark Mammot, senior director of standards and practices at CBS News, reminded employees to be cautious with language when reporting on Israel and Gaza during the war. One notable instruction to his staff was to avoid referring to Israel's capital, Jerusalem as being in Israel. The memo was sent to thousands of journalists at the CBS News Network.

Chris Katulka: Well, Steve, here's my take. Legacy Media, once again shows its anti-Israel hand by disseminating misinformation to listeners and viewers. Yes, this is the definition of misinformation. The truth is Jerusalem has been in Israel since the days of King David. Reestablished in 1948. It was reunified after the Six Day War in 1967. The United States officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 1995 and moved the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018 declaring Israel's sovereignty over its eternal capital. Really, it's no wonder why the public has very little trust in journalism today.

Chris Katulka: This Yom Kippur, rocket sirens could be heard across Northern Israel as Hezbollah militants from Lebanon launched a series of attacks on the most sacred day on the Jewish calendar. The Israeli army reported that around 320 missiles and drones were fired by an Iranian-backed militia, Hezbollah. While most were intercepted by Israel's air defense systems, others landed in open areas. Local media had confirmed that two Israelis sustained minor injuries from shrapnel near the northern city of Acre, and in Haifa alarms sounded as two drones were launched toward the port city. Fortunately, both drones were intercepted by the Israeli military. Other northern regions were also targeted with Hezbollah claiming responsibility for several of the attacks. This isn't the first time Israel was attacked on its most holy day of the year. In 1973, Syria and Egypt launched a sneak attack against the Jewish state, which nearly crippled them.

But through God's protection, the IDF were able to thwart the enemy in a strategic tank battle in the north in an area called the Valley of Tears. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement is a solemn day for the Jewish people. Observed with fasting and prayers as they seek forgiveness for their sins. In honor of the occasion, most TV and radio broadcasts are paused. Businesses, restaurants, and public venues would be closed. Despite the ongoing conflict, the people of Israel continue to observe this sacred day holding onto their faith and traditions. Look, even the most secular Jewish people will dawn the halls of a synagogue for Yom Kippur. Again, it's the most holy day of the year on the Hebrew calendar. I want to share a powerful story with you from the renowned Jewish author and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel. 

On September 27th, 1944 in the Auschwitz concentration camp, as Yom Kippur approached, the Jewish prisoners found themselves in a debate. Some argued whether they should fast. After all, they were already starving. Elie, just a few days away from his 16th birthday, witnessed this debate and he wrote this, “The Day of Atonement, should we fast? The question was hotly debated. In this place, we were always fasting. It was Yom Kippur year round. But there were those who said we should fast precisely because it was dangerous. We needed to show God that even here locked in hell, we were capable of singing his praises.” 

Even in the most desperate conditions, the Jewish people clung to their faith in God on Yom Kippur. This day in both ancient and modern times carries great significance for the Jewish people and also speaks powerfully to Christians. So let's explore why. Let's begin with the book of Leviticus, a book that may or may not be on the top of your morning devotional list right now, and I understand if Leviticus is challenging, if you're not going through it.

As it describes worship practices and sacrifices from a culture that's thousands of years old, yet the truths in Leviticus profoundly impact our faith in Jesus, our Messiah. Leviticus provides the most detailed account of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which involves three primary kinds of sacrifices in the Old Testament. The first is an allegiance sacrifice. These offerings, which we know is the whole burnt offering or grain offering, show dedication and allegiance to God. It's really a catchall for all of the sacrifices because it's the most ancient of all the sacrifices, The whole burnt offering existed long before God established the sacrificial system seen in the book of Leviticus. There are fellowship sacrifices. In these, the worshiper, priests, and God shared a portion of the offering and a communal meal, symbolizing fellowship and thanksgiving. And finally, the sin sacrifices, offered for unintentional sins. These sacrifices acknowledge when someone unknowingly broke God's commands.

Here's an example. Imagine you're at a grocery store using the self-checkout and you accidentally miss scanning an item. Later you realize you unintentionally stole something. Well, in the Old Testament, there was a sin offering for that. It was unintentional, but it was still a sin. But if you intentionally stole something, there was no sacrifice for that. Punishment awaited. Now this brings us to the heart of Yom Kippur. It was the day designed to address all of Israel's sins, both unintentional and intentional. The high priest would offer sacrifices to cleanse the nation. But here's the key, Yom Kippur didn't provide permanent cleansing. The Hebrew word Kippur means to cover. So the sacrifices covered sin for a time, but they didn't remove them permanently. On Yom Kippur, the high priest performed a unique ritual. Two goats were selected, one was sacrificed to cleanse the Holy of holies, the most sacred place where God's presence dwelled, and the other known as the scapegoat or Azazel had the sins of Israel symbolically placed on it and was sent away into the wilderness, removing the sins from the camp.

Just listen to what Leviticus chapter 16, starting in verse 20 says, it says, when Aaron had finished making atonement for the most holy place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. He is to lay hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites, all their sins and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all the sins to a remote place and the man shall release it in the wilderness. Yom Kippur was God's provision to cover Israel's sins temporarily, restoring their relationship with him. But it was incomplete. It had to be done year after year. That's why Jesus, our High Priest and eternal sacrifice is so significant.

Today, without a temple or tabernacle, Jewish people can't offer physical sacrifices. Instead, they turn to prayer, charitable deeds and fasting as a way to seek forgiveness. For Christians, however, we know that no amount of good deeds, prayers, or fasting can bring true forgiveness. If that were possible, Jesus wouldn't have needed to come to be our sacrifice. Yom Kippur was a gift from God, an annual reminder of Israel's need for cleansing. Not through works, but through faith in the sacrifices God provided, and the book of Hebrews shows us how this is fulfilled in Jesus. In Hebrews chapter nine, starting in verse 11, it says, “But now Christ has come as the high priest, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood. He himself secured eternal redemption. If the blood of goats and bulls provided ritual purity, how much more will the blood of Christ purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God?”

What an incredible truth. Jesus is both our High Priest and our sacrifice. His blood doesn't just merely cover our sins temporarily, like the sacrifices on Yom Kippur. It cleanses us once and for all, reaching even into the deepest parts of our heart and mind where no one else can go. And why? Not just so that we get a free pass to heaven, but so that we can worship and serve the living God. That's the goal of Christ's sacrifice, that we might serve him, be reconciled to him, live for him and enjoy fellowship with him. This Yom Kippur, as Jewish people remember the forgiveness God provided through sacrifices, it's a good time for Christians to stop and reflect on the ultimate forgiveness, the ultimate sacrifice that we have through Jesus. His eternal sacrifice cleanses our consciences so that we can serve and worship the living God with joy.

Now listen, when we come back, I want to share with you how Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement came about and why it's such an important day on the Jewish calendar. 

But before we get there, I want to share with you a really unique resource that we have here at the Friends of Israel. It's a DVD called The Seven Feasts of Israel: Discover God's Rhythms of Redemption through the Feasts of Israel. And it just so happens to be that in this conference DVD that we have on the Seven Feasts, I was the teacher for the Day of Atonement and Yom Kippur. So if you'd like a deeper dive into the Feasts of Israel, which include the overlook of the entire Jewish holiday calendar: the Feast of Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Trumpets, again, Yom Kippur and the Feast of Tabernacles, then I want to encourage you to get our DVD conference series, the Seven Feasts of Israel, where you won't even be able to hear from me, but also Dr. Jim Showers, Steve Herzig and Dr. Mike Stallard as well with several other expert staff teaching on these important feasts. If you'd like to get a copy of the Seven Feasts of Israel: Discover God's Rhythms of Redemption through the Feasts of Israel, please visit us at foiradio.org. And there you can get your DVD of the Seven Feasts of Israel. Again, that's foiradio.org.

Chris Katulka: Welcome back everyone. The Jewish people are in the middle of the Fall Feasts of Israel, and that includes Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles. And today we're commenting on Yom Kippur, which I would argue again is one of the most holy days of the feasts of Israel. In this final segment, I want to talk about how Yom Kippur came about. Much of Leviticus is legal language. It's the fine print that explains all the details of the sacrificial system, but woven throughout the Levitical law are some narrative accounts, and one of the first ones that pops up in Leviticus is the one that's set out to give definition to Yom Kippur. And that comes because of the sin of Aaron, the high priest’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu. Aaron and his sons were just ordained as the high priestly family for the Israelites set apart to serve the Lord.

Not two chapters after being ordained, Nadab and Abihu took their censers in chapter 10, starting in verse one (Leviticus 10:1) and put fire in them and added incense, and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to the Lord's commands. And it says, so fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them. That's Nadab and Abihu. And they died before the Lord. Nadab and Abihu didn't follow the proper instructions to worship God and they did it the way they wanted to. So what happens? Two things here. First, God's holiness consumed the two new priests for their sin. That's the first thing. The second thing that happened is the reason for Yom Kippur. Their sin contaminated the tabernacle. That's right, the people and the sacred place needed atonement. So now jump forward to Leviticus chapter 16, which is all about Yom Kippur in the procedure of Yom Kippur and one of the big items found in verse 13 gives instructions about Nadab and Abihu’s sin.

In Leviticus 16:13, it says, “He is to put incense on the fire before the Lord and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the tablets of the covenant law so that the high priest, (he the high priest) will not die.” What? Just like Nadab and Abihu. Next, listen to what happens to the goat for the sin offering in Leviticus 16:15, it says, “He then shall slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and to take the blood behind the curtain and to do with it as he did with the bull's blood. He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover in front of it. In this way, he will make atonement for the most holy place because of the uncleanliness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been.” 

The blood of the goat makes atonement for the most holy place. Remember, I said the Tabernacle was defiled by Nadab and Abihu. In fact, a very famous theologian, Jacob Milgrom, and his extensive research on Leviticus put it this way, “Nadab and Abihu had polluted the sanctuary doubly: in life by their sin and in death by their corpses. Yet chapter 10 has nothing to say about the procedure for purging the sanctuary, which in such a case of severe pollution, the sin and subsequent death of Nadab and Abihu occurred in the sacred precincts, the entire sanctuary, including the Holy of holies, would need to be purged. This procedure is detailed in chapter 16, which is all about Yom Kippur. Indeed, the fact that the rite described here could be regarded, I love this, as an emergency measure originally fits the case of Nadab and Abihu perfectly.” 

What would become Yom Kippur, originally developed out of emergency measures to deal with the issue of not just Nadab and Abihu’s sins, but also the sins of Israel that polluted the sanctuary. God in his mercy, think about this, creates a way, a way for him to forgive all the sins of Israel on that day every year without compromising his holiness. Look, this is the reason why the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews chapter nine, verse 11 says, “But when Christ came as the high priest of good things that are now already here, he went through a greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say is not a part of this creation, and he did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but he entered the most holy place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.” Jesus, our sacrifice entered the Holy of holies through his own blood, and in doing so, he offers eternal redemption, not an annual atonement, only to return again to the day of Yom Kippur, but an eternal redemption that could only come through his shed blood. There's only one thing that you need to do to receive eternal salvation or eternal redemption. It's actually the theme of the Day of Atonement. You must repent, turn toward God, admit that you are a sinner and he will forgive you. He's waiting to forgive you if you've never placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In a world where sin pollutes everything, Jesus, our savior, can make you white as snow

Steve Conover: Israel, on the verge of becoming a state, a teenaged Holocaust survivor arrives on her shores alone. His name is Zvi Kalisher. Little did he know, his search for a new life in the Holy Land would lead him to the Messiah. Zvi, enthusiastic to share his faith, engaged others in spiritual conversations, many of which can be found in our magazine, Israel My Glory. While Zvi is now in the presence of his Savior, his collected writings from well over 50 years of ministry continue to encourage believers worldwide. Now, Apples of Gold, a dramatic reading from the life of Zvi.

Mike Kellogg: In Israel, people are preparing for the feast of Rosh Hashanah followed by the greatest holy day of all, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This is the only holy day people fear. Thirty days beforehand, they begin to pray day and night for forgiveness.

Recently some people came to me and said, “We want you to forget about your strange ways and come with us to pray.” When I asked who had sent them, they replied, “No one sent us; we have come on our own.”

“No,” I responded, “you did not come on your own, but God sent you so I could tell you that He has already forgiven my sins.”

“Oh yes,” they agreed, “He forgives us every year at this time of the great fast.”

“That is not what I mean,” I countered. “I came to God only once. I put my faith in Him, and He forgave my sins. He can forgive your sins also, once forever.”

They were not interested in anything I said. “If you will do as we ask,” one told me, “you will have no more trouble with us.”

I told them, “I am not afraid of you. I fear only God.”

“How can you fear God when you do not believe in Him, but in Jesus?” another asked.

I replied, “The Lord said, ‘I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams’ (Isa. 1:11). I believe in only one offering, and that is the offering of the Lord Himself, who gave Himself for us.”

“From what book did you take that?” one asked. Quickly I turned to Isaiah 53. Then I told them, “He is the one in whom I have trusted, and He has given me peace. I know that when I leave this world, I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. You have come to tell me I may experience trouble from you, but I am not afraid anymore.”

“Not even about your life?” one demanded.

“No,” I answered, “because I know to whom I belong.”

At this point someone said, “If you are not afraid of us, then let us make a cease-fire and speak together as good friends.”

“That is what I have been waiting for,” I replied. “I do not hate you. You are my dear friends, and you are welcome to visit me anytime.”

All of them said, “We cannot believe this!”

Then my children played their instruments for them, and they ate with my family. I could feel the Spirit of the Lord working. After we had eaten, I asked, “May I read to you from the New Testament and tell you why I am so happy?” They agreed, and I read Romans 12:9–21.

After I finished, one man asked, “These things are nice to hear, but if Jesus loved His enemies, then why did the Germans, who are Christians, persecute the Jewish people so badly?”

I replied, “I am sure that they were not true believers. Now many in Germany are sorry for what they did and are again calling on the Lord. But they are not really clean within. They only hope they are clean, just as you hope when you pray at Yom Kippur. I am finished with vain prayers and sacrifices. I received the Savior’s love, grace, and mercy. On the Day of Atonement, you will not be sure if the Lord has forgiven your sins. But I know He has forgiven mine!

“My friends, why do you continue to live in fear? The Lord is your atonement. He will receive you into His family and forgive your sins. You came hatefully to warn me, but the love of the Lord has been with us. We should thank the Lord that He is with us.”

These people left my home feeling differently than when they came. They left with love in their hearts and smiles on their faces. Praise the Lord!

Chris Katulka: The impact of Zvi's life in ministry in Israel, it didn't end when he went home to be with the Lord. In fact, Zvi’s legacy lives on. Our Friends of Israel ministry representatives continue to share the gospel in Jerusalem, Israel, and really all throughout the world. We also serve Holocaust survivors and their families. We provide free food, medicine and clothing, and we even promote the safety and security of the state of Israel and the Jewish people everywhere. So when you give to the Friends of Israel, your donation actually allows us to advance the gospel of our Messiah Jesus. You can give online by visiting foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org. You can click right there on our donate link. Also, be sure to let us know where you listen when you contact us.

Steve Conover: Thanks so much for joining us for today's episode of The Friends of Israel Today. To purchase your copy of The Seven Feasts of Israel DVD or to learn more, visit foiradio.org. Chris, where are we headed next week?

Chris Katulka: Next week we're going to look at the last of the Jewish festivals on the calendar, which is the Feast of Tabernacles, which is a feast of celebration, a celebration of God's provision, protection and presence in the Israelite’s life, but also in our life as well.

Steve Conover: We hope you join us then. Our mailing address is FOI Radio PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. Again, that's FOI Radio PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. Our web address once again is foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org or you can call our listener line. That number is 888-343-6940. Again, that's 888-343-6940. Our host and teacher is Chris Katulka. Today's program was produced by Tom Gallione. Edited by Jeremy Strong, who also composed and performs our theme music. Mike Kellogg read Apples of Gold, and I'm Steve Conover, executive producer, the Friends of Israel Today is a production of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. Passion for God's Word. Compassion for God's Chosen People.