Here the concept of the Scapegoat is introduced. At a certain time the Israelites are to bring two goats to the holy tent. One is to be sacrificed to Jehovah God, the other to have all the sins of the people “spoken” over its its head, then sent out into the desert for the desert demon.

This is interesting: why does our jealous God allow a demon to receive this goat? Is it because that demon can not, for a while at least, speak the sins of the people into God’s ear and condemn them, as the bible says the demons used to do before Jesus had victory over them.

The other interesting thing in these chapters is the revelation that the holy tent sits in the centre of the camp, even though the centre of camp is a ritually unclean place. I wonder why it is unclean, and why God chooses for it to sit there?

Dear God,

I confess I sometimes feel scared at the documentation in these books of your righteous anger, and the complicated rules and the intense punishment that follows breaking them. I love you God, as the Abba Father of my Lord Jesus, who was and is so gentle and kind. Thank you that Jesus has released us from direct exposure to your righteous anger, and now allows us to simply believe, and follow him, and ask forgiveness – and love each other. Okay, that’s not necessarily so simple to us humans, but it seems easier than the rules of ancient times… or maybe not. So thank you God for continuing to seek me out despite all my sins and faults, and for making me your child who you love and will listen to, In Jesus name, Amen