Study the character and work of the Messiah, who by his atonement became the Mediator and Redeemer.
During the Mosaic dispensation, one day of the year was devoted to that great theme. It was part of the Temple service. The day was called, "the day of atonement." It was a general fast day, a day of repentance and prayer.
On this day Aaron attired in priestly vestments offered a sin offering for himself and his house. Blood of this offering was sprinkled on the covering of the ark in the Holy of Holies.
Then two goats were presented before the Lord on behalf of the people. The high priest selected by lot one of these for Jehovah as a sin offering. The other was to belong to Azazel, who by some has been supposed to be one of the fallen angels, who led the "sons of God" in the wickedness that brought the flood upon the race. (Gen. 6:1-4.) The high priest laid his hands upon this goat, confessed the sins of the people, thereby conferring them symbolically on the animal, which then was set free in the wilderness for the fallen angel. The burnt offering for the High priest and the people ended the solemn ceremonies. It was thus that the Lord, during the Old dispensation; impressed the people with the seriousness of transgression and the necessity of atonement and a Mediator.
It has been stated that on this day, perhaps at sunset, when the day ended, the young maidens used to meet in the vineyards and dance and sing, and give the young men an opportunity to form an idea of their future wives, whom the mothers, I believe, generally selected for them.