Old Testament Atonement

When looking the definition for atonement in the dictionary... I see the definition "making reparation for an offense or injury"


Numbers 16 records the rebellion of Korah a Levite who was itchy to do the work of Aaron and his sons. Korah and two others rounded up 250 chiefs of the conregation and together took issue with Moses for not allowing them to do the work they wanted to do.

Reading on a bit... Korah and the whole congregation set themselves against Moses and Aaron and they wait on God to make a ruling. God tells Moses and Aaron to separate themselves from everyone else so God can consume all the others in a moment. They intercede on the Israelites behalf... and only the three ring leaders and the 250 chiefs are supernaturally killed.

The next day the congregation is upset about what Moses did (Moses? They didn't understand that God killed the others) ... God's glory appears and God again tells Moses and Aaron to separate themselves so the whole congregation can be consumed in a moment. They interceed again.. but it is too late.. the plague had begun. Aaron is commanded by Moses to take his censer and put fire in it form the alter and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them.

Numbers 25 records the wickedness of the Israelites in turning to the Baal of Peor after they began to whore with the Moabite women.. (a suggestion of Balaam, and a back-handed way of cursing the Israelites as Balak had desired from Balaam since he wasn't allowed to do curse them as an oracle).

God had just commanded the death of those involved and, whaddya-know... a son of a Simeonite leader accompanied by a Moabite princess pass by off to do no good. Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron sees this and follows them with a spear in hand. Phinehas followed them right into his tent and pinned both of them to the ground with his spear. The Bible says here in v.8 "Thus the plague on the people of Israel was stopped." ...and later in v.13 God says, "he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel."


In both cases their acts turned away God's judgement. God's wrath is similarly turned away from us through Jesus Christ's act of atonement. Our sin, just like the Israelites, merits death.

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Praise God for His atoning work for us on the cross.