Leviticus 23:32, commentary and pictures

The Day of Atonement is appointed for the tenth day of the seventh month, and its prescribed services are to be performed on that day as commanded. Its sabbath of rest is to be celebrated as a complete day, from evening on the ninth day of the month until evening on the following day, from evening to evening. The word evening by itself does not fix the beginning at six o'clock or at any other set hour, and its meaning and timing must be learned from Scripture through careful study rather than by inference. Those who began the Sabbath at a different time were not condemned before light came showing that a change was required, but to reject that light once it has come brings condemnation.

During the work of atonement every Israelite was to lay aside ordinary business and unite with the congregation in solemn humiliation before God, with prayer, fasting, and deep searching of heart. That response impressed upon them God's holiness and His abhorrence of sin, and the defilement that comes from contact with sin. It was a time when the sins of the people were brought to mind and repented of, demanding the greatest care and reverence in every part of the service lest the anger of the Lord be displayed. Afflicting the soul in this way involves confession and self-examination, including putting right wrongs between persons as part of preparation for the day.

The day stands in a solemn period of rest and self-affliction that calls people to confess their sins, humble themselves before God, and prepare for the great conflict. It gives a pattern of humbling oneself before God, confessing personal sins and humbling hearts together, and such united humiliation brings the Lord's presence and great victories. It therefore connects the day with self-humbling and soul-searching, not with striving for position or creating strife and discord.

As type the verse applies now to the solemn antitypical day of atonement going on in heaven, in which God's people live. That present reality requires genuine contrition of heart, confession of sin, watchfulness and prayer, sacrifice for Christ's sake, and holiness in those who minister in sacred things. The present time is the great day of atonement, when afflicting the soul means confessing sins, humbling the heart before God, and becoming ready for the great conflict. Its lesson for the present is that people are to confess and forsake their sins and humble their hearts before God in order to be saved.