It’s the center of the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy) … the Book of Leviticus.

And its central chapter (theologically, thematically, not numerically) is chapter 16, instructions for the Day of Atonement, Israel’s Holiest Day of the year.

And just what is the center of that 16th chapter? (A perfectly “balanced” chapter I might add.)

It’s those middle verses describing Atonement being made for the people of God! The Blood applied! Holiness and cleanliness brought to pass!

Let me show you.

The chapter is framed as follows …

Verse 1 … “The Lord spake unto Moses …”

The last verse, verse 34 … “The Lord commanded Moses …”

See … the chapter begins and ends with essentially the same words! (Called “inclusio” by Bible teachers.)

But in the middle of the chapter, as I said …

Verse 16 .. “And he (the High Priest) shall make an atonement.”

Verse 17 … “He (the High Priest) shall have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel!

Verse 18 … “The blood of the bullock, and the blood of the goat …”

Verse 19 … “Sprinkle the blood with his finger seven times …”

In the center of the Bible’s first five Books … Bloodshed and Atonement and Salvation! (Maybe even a picture of Israel’s coming national salvation!)

Hallelujah!

Salvation … the Heartbeat of Almighty God!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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