How to Celebrate the Day of Atonement
October 9, 2026
Commentary
Following the Feast of Pentecost, there was a four-month gap in God’s calendar before the next feast. This gap may represent the age we are living in now, the age of the church, when we should be devoted to sharing the gospel and gathering people into God’s kingdom (Matthew 9:36-38). The Feast of Trumpets was held on the first day of the seventh month and marked the beginning of the new civil year (vv. 23-25). The Jews used this day for prayer, meditation, and confession as they sought to make a fresh start with the Lord. On the tenth day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement was observed. All work stopped, and the people gathered for a holy assembly before God.
This passage emphasizes how ordinary Israelites were to observe the Day of Atonement (vv. 26-29). They were to hold a sacred assembly, present an offering made by fire to the Lord, and do no work. This command to stop working was absolute (vv. 30-31). Unlike restrictions on regular employment, this rule appears to have forbidden even small household tasks (Exodus 16:23-30). It was a time of complete rest, like the Sabbath. Everyone was also required to deny themselves, from the evening of the ninth day until the evening of the tenth day (v. 32).
The command to deny himself probably included fasting and possibly other acts of humility, such as wearing sackcloth and ashes. Anyone who refused to observe this day and its complete rest faced the penalty of being cut off from God’s people. The Day of Atonement also points to a future prophetic fulfillment. When Israel is gathered back into her land, the Jewish people will recognize their Messiah, repent of their sins, and be cleansed. What a wonderful day that will be!
Application
Am I making time to confess my sins and seek His forgiveness? Is there anything I need to surrender to Him today? Do I allow my busy schedule to keep me from spending time with God? How can I practice humility and repentance in my daily life? Do I find true rest in Him and live with a heart that is ready to obey Him?
Leviticus 23:23–32 (NET)
23 The Lord spoke to Moses: 24 “Tell the Israelites, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you must have a complete rest, a memorial announced by loud horn blasts, a holy assembly. 25 You must not do any regular work, but you must present a gift to the Lord.’”
26 The Lord spoke to Moses: 27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It is to be a holy assembly for you, and you must humble yourselves and present a gift to the Lord. 28 You must not do any work on this particular day, because it is a day of atonement to make atonement for yourselves before the Lord your God. 29 Indeed, any person who does not behave with humility on this particular day will be cut off from his people. 30 As for any person who does any work on this particular day, I will exterminate that person from the midst of his people — 31 you must not do any work! This is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all the places where you live. 32 It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must humble yourselves on the ninth day of the month in the evening, from evening until evening you must observe your Sabbath.”