Preparing for the Day of Atonement

The days that lead up to the Day of Atonement are days of reflection...

While we do not hold that the Feast of Trumpets marks the new year according to Yahweh's decrees (Exo 12:2 tells us otherwise, and the New Year tradition of the Jews is a postbiblical tradition rather than grounded in Scripture), the Scriptures do tell us that the Day of Atonement, the sabbatical rest and the "affliction" that goes with it are "a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwelling places" (Lev 23:31).

What is this affliction about ? This question is easy to answer if you re-read Lev 16: Israel was to make atonement for its sins in a very particular manner, atonement that included propitiation for and expiation of sin. And while the sacrificial laws were ended with the Last Sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we are still afflicted by our shortcomings before Yahweh and should use the Day of Atonement to reflect on how the process of progressive sanctification has been going this past year.

Since this reflection should need some time if the following affliction it is to be sincere and honest, don't waste these days, but prepare well. September 28th will come quicker than you think. Maybe you start out by re-reading the Letter to the Hebrews along with Leviticus 16... just a suggestion.