Leviticus 16
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Aaron was a priest. A special helper for God.
One day each year was very special. Aaron put on soft white clothes. He washed himself clean with water first.
Aaron brought a bull. Aaron brought two goats too. All for God.
One goat got picked to give to God. The other goat was different. Aaron put his hands on that goat's head. Softly, gently. He told God all the bad things the people did. All of them.
Then someone took that goat far, far away. Out into the desert. Alone.
The goat carried the bad things away. Away, away, far from the people.
What Does This Mean?
Aaron could not just walk in to see God. Not any day, not any time. Behind a big curtain, God's glory was there. Bright and close.
If Aaron walked in wrong, he could die. So Aaron was careful. Very careful. He brought blood from the animals. He put it on the special golden lid, called the mercy seat. Seven times, gently.
This made a way. A safe way to come close to God.
The Common Thread
Do you remember Jesus? Jesus is like that curtain, opened wide. Jesus is like blood that makes clean. But Jesus did not send an animal away instead of Him. Jesus went Himself.
Jesus carried away the bad things. Far, far away. Like that goat in the desert, gone forever.
Because of Jesus, we can come close to God. No curtain in the way anymore.
For You
Sometimes you do something naughty. You know it. Your tummy feels funny inside.
God sees that too. But God made a way to take it away. Far away, like the goat in the desert.
You do not have to carry it. Jesus carries it for you.
Talk About It
Where do you think the goat went, out in the desert?
What do you think it feels like when something bad is taken far, far away?
Praying Together
Dear God, Thank You that You made a way to come close. Thank You for Jesus, who takes my bad things away. Far, far away. Amen.
Questions about Leviticus 16
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Leviticus 16 about?
What does Leviticus 16 say?
What does Leviticus 16 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Leviticus 16?
Why is Leviticus 16 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
On this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you." Notice who does the work. Israel fasted and rested, but the blood was carried in by someone else. You were not asked to scrub yourself clean, only to stop and let it be done for you.
And the cleanness was "before Yahweh," not before your own feelings. Some mornings that is the only ground you have to stand on.
Aaron shall come into the Holy Place with a young bull for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering." Notice the order. Before Aaron could carry anyone else's sin, he had to deal with his own. Even the priest came as a sinner. You don't have to arrive clean to come near, but you can't arrive pretending.
He shall take some of the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat." That bull was Aaron's own sin offering. Before he could carry anyone else's guilt, his own had to be covered. And the blood fell on the lid that lay directly over the broken commandments. Mercy placed exactly where the accusation sat.
Aaron shall offer the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house."
Before Aaron could carry the sins of Israel into the Holy Place, he had to face his own. The high priest was not exempt. He knelt at the same altar he served.
There is something freeing in that. You cannot pray for others out of a pretended cleanness. Bring yourself first. God is not waiting for you to be qualified, only honest.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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