A scapegoat is someone you blame for your problems. And isn’t it easy to POINT the FINGER of blame at another?
But the LORD puts an unusual condition on hearing prayer in Isaiah 58:9 “Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and HE will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression (demanding people do things your way), with the POINTING of the FINGER (blaming others) and malicious talk.
That is because to grow up/ mature and change one must own up to their own failings instead of blaming others for them. We can’t even say the devil made me do it. He may have lured us by suggesting something, but it is the individual himself who chooses what he will do.
Ironically, before the foundation of the world GOD appointed a scapegoat (Revelation 13:8) to carry the sins of all people.
A picture of this was given 3,000 years ago when GOD told the Jews to observe the Day of Atonement, which involves symbolically placing sins on the scapegoat’s head, who then escapes carrying the iniquities of the nation away.
There were 2 goats. Lots (or dice) were tossed to see which was the LORD’s goat that would be killed and whose blood would satisfy GOD and forgiveness could come. The second was the scapegoat which carried the sins away. The LORD JESUS CHRIST the Messiah is both.
As the Lamb that was slain (Revelation 5:6, 9,10) JESUS redeemed men to GOD by HIS blood. However, only those written “in the book of life of the Lamb (JESUS) slain from the foundation of the world” get the benefit from it (Revelation 13:8).
Hands were laid on the head of the innocent scapegoat which symbolically transferred the sins of the people onto it (Leviticus 16:21-22). Just as the sins of the world were laid on JESUS (Isaiah 53:6). The scapegoat then was released into the wilderness which indicated that the sins were not just forgiven but removed from the people. “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath HE removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12)
The LORD JESUS CHRIST the Messiah is the scapegoat who took the sins of all mankind upon HIMSELF on the cross and carried them away. However, only those written “in the book of life of the Lamb (JESUS) slain from the foundation of the world” get the benefit from it (Revelation 13:8).
That is why it is so important to believe in JESUS whom GOD sent (John 3:16), who died for all sin of mankind (Colossians 1:14), to destroy the works and power of the devil (Colossians 2:12-15, 1 John 3:8) and was raised to life again by GOD the FATHER (Romans 10:9) and is seated with GOD the FATHER on HIS throne right now (Hebrews 1:2-3) awaiting for the set time to come for HIS church (rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 4:1) and then pour HIS wrath out on the CHRIST rejecting world (the 7-year Tribulation also known as Daniel’s 70th week Daniel 9:24).
If you belong to JESUS, you too are called to be a little scapegoat. By that I mean you are called to bear the burdens, irritations and unjust treatment from others, and love them in return. The LORD, your Scapegoat, bore your burdens to bring you salvation, so as you follow HIM you are called to be a little scapegoat, to bear the burdens (take time to genuinely care about and put up with) those who need JESUS. Perhaps by seeing JESUS in you they may come to HIM (2 Corinthians 4:7).
I am convicted as I write I’m remembering times when I was not longsuffering, gentle or kind but acted in irritation. It is quite an assignment for sure, but when GOD calls, HE equips (1 Thessalonians 5:24, Hebrews 13:21).
“LORD, help me, in JESUS name I pray!”
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 