The Feast of Atonement
29 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work [...] 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. (Leviticus 16:29 - 31)
In our walk with the Lord, there are certain days that cannot be missed. They are holy convocations - better yet, appointments - that we are meant to live. They’re moments of intimacy with the Lord. One of the most innate personal things someone can do in a relationship is to admit their faults. Once a year, we are meant to present ourselves before Yahweh and present our faults and ask for forgiveness: it is the Feast of Atonement.
Understanding of this specific day of the year means we have to understand the key word: Atonement. It’s a word that isn’t common, therefore it’s important to go to the dictionary. It says that atonement is “reparation for a wrong or injury”, “ reparation or expiation for sin” and “the reconciliation of God and humankind”. It can be changed by words such as penance, redemption and expiation.
How we celebrate this feast is different from every other feast of the Lord. It is arguably the most quiet of “feasts” - the time is meant to reflect, think back and reassess your relationships. During this time, you aren’t just encouraged to ask forgiveness to GOD, but also to your neighbors, friends and family. If in a situation where you are meant to ask forgiveness, be like the Prodigal Son of Luke 15:11 - 32, and be true with the words you say. If put in a position where you are to forgive those who wronged you, be forgiving like Esau in Genesis 33 and Joseph towards his brothers (Genesis 50:19-21). All in all, welcome these people into your life and do good to them, like David to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9).
As for what we do for Yahweh, we are to repent profusely. The Bible says it clearly, saying:
“None is righteous, no, not one [...] For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23).
Therefore, during this time, we are meant to deny ourselves (Leviticus 23:32): that is through dry fasting, giving up something you truly enjoy and even practicing sabbath. Yahweh does not ask you to do something that you are not capable of doing. If dry fasting isn’t for you for whatever reason, give something else up so you can focus and dedicate yourself to the Lord.
This doesn’t mean that you are supposed to keep track of your sins and not ask for forgiveness during the entire year as you wait for this day; on the contrary, you are supposed to do it all the time (Proverbs 28:13, Acts 3:19). It’s meant to be a specific time of reflection; time to spend with GOD, acknowledging your wrongdoing and finding ways to do better in your walk with GOD. The Feast of Atonement is a moment in the year where you truly check yourself and make yourself right with Yahweh.