And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
Leviticus 23:30 belongs to the instructions for the ancient Day of Atonement, which fell on the tenth day of the seventh month when the solemn services commanded by God were performed. On that day all ordinary work and business was to be set aside while the work of atonement was taking place, and whatsoever soul did any work in that same day was to be destroyed and cut off from among the people. Instead the day was to be spent in solemn humility before God, with every person afflicting the soul through prayer, fasting, deep searching of heart, humbling of self, confession of sin, and calling sins to mind in repentance.
Every part of the service had to be attended to with becoming reverence and the greatest care lest the anger of the Lord be displayed. The high priest had to make the most careful and solemn preparation and guard himself with the utmost diligence from all contamination. The day is set apart as a time for confessing sins and making things right, for removing wrongs between people rather than committing sin, involving an examination in which God's people are to meet His standard.
The Day of Atonement is the type of the solemn period now being lived, the antitypical and great day of atonement now going on in heaven and now being lived spiritually. The verse therefore means that the present time calls for every man to afflict the soul, humble the heart before God, and confess and forsake sins so as to be saved and to be ready for the coming great conflict. Because the antitype is now in progress, those who minister in sacred things must be holy and pure in life and pure in conversation, much more than was required in the type.
It is too late in the day for agitating speculative ideas and sharp discussion over differences, because bringing contention before the people only confuses them as first one side then the other seems to have the argument, and makes the work a dead loss. Afflicting the soul in humility is better than striving for rank and causing discord. The ancient call to humility shows the humility and self-examination called for at the meeting.
Leviticus 23:30 belongs to the instructions for the ancient Day of Atonement, which fell on the tenth day of the seventh month when the solemn services commanded by God were performed. On that day all ordinary work and business was to be set aside while the work of atonement was taking place, and whatsoever soul did any work in that same day was to be destroyed and cut off from among the people. Instead the day was to be spent in solemn humility before God, with every person afflicting the soul through prayer, fasting, deep searching of heart, humbling of self, confession of sin, and calling sins to mind in repentance.
Every part of the service had to be attended to with becoming reverence and the greatest care lest the anger of the Lord be displayed. The high priest had to make the most careful and solemn preparation and guard himself with the utmost diligence from all contamination. The day is set apart as a time for confessing sins and making things right, for removing wrongs between people rather than committing sin, involving an examination in which God's people are to meet His standard.
The Day of Atonement is the type of the solemn period now being lived, the antitypical and great day of atonement now going on in heaven and now being lived spiritually. The verse therefore means that the present time calls for every man to afflict the soul, humble the heart before God, and confess and forsake sins so as to be saved and to be ready for the coming great conflict. Because the antitype is now in progress, those who minister in sacred things must be holy and pure in life and pure in conversation, much more than was required in the type.
It is too late in the day for agitating speculative ideas and sharp discussion over differences, because bringing contention before the people only confuses them as first one side then the other seems to have the argument, and makes the work a dead loss. Afflicting the soul in humility is better than striving for rank and causing discord. The ancient call to humility shows the humility and self-examination called for at the meeting.