Many of the words and phrases in our common lexicon come to us from deep in the Bible. One example is scapegoat. I think of someone who takes the hit for a bad situation, a person undeserving of blame.
Today’s idiom arises from real goats we read about in Leviticus 16:20-22. Aaron, the high priest, confessed the iniquities of all the people before God and laid them upon the head of a goat. He then sent the goat away to wander in the wilderness, thus carrying away the sins of the people.
Centuries later, Jesus emerged as the ultimate scapegoat. All the sins of all the people in all the world for all time were laid upon his undeserving head, to be carried away forever.
The goat didn’t deserve what he got, and Jesus didn’t deserve what he got, either.
Me and you deserve it, but don’t get it – thanks to our scapegoat.
Week eight of reading the Bible cover to cover
Dave,
I’ve been reading your posts daily for the past few weeks. I really appreciate your short but relevant and insightful thoughts of the day. Keep it up bud. I know I’m not the only one.
Mike
Thank you Mike, I appreciate the kind words!