The Council of Elrond is coming to a close. The representatives of the free peoples of Middle-earth have shared their tales and heard the whole history of the One Ring. But one question remains: What shall be done with it? Join us as we conclude this chapter of The Lord of the Rings.

The Council of Elrond Pt. 8

Elrond laments the fall of Saurman, for he had been a trusted advisor and therefore possesses knowledge of all their previous councils. Erestor suggest that they request the aid of Tom Bombadil. Perhaps he would safeguard the One Ring, seeing as it has no power over him. To this Gandalf replies,

He might do so, if all the free folk of the world begged him,but he would not understand the need. And if he were given the Ring, he would soon forget it, or most likely throw it away. Such things have no hold on his mind. He would be a most unsafe guardian; and that alone is answer enough.’

The Lord of the Rings: One Volume Edition, p. 256

No. The Ring must be destroyed. It must be unmade in the fires of Mount Doom. But who shall do it? The members of the Council of Elrond returned to deep thought. All the while Frodo sat quietly, a dead darkness growing in his heart.

Scapehobbit Who Takes Away The Burden Of Middle-earth

Bilbo, perhaps from an empty stomach, perhaps from a longing for an adventure – though, more likely from a desire for the Ring -, offers to take the burden upon himself. Yet it is Frodo, speaking in a small voice – which he felt was coming from somebody other than himself -, who finally says that he will take it. Elrond, raising an eyebrow, confesses that it indeed seems that Frodo has been appointed this task. Something, or someone (Eru Ilúvatar) has chosen him to bear the burden of Middle-earth away into the wilderness; yea, to the very fires of Mordor! Frodo is to be the scapegoat just like that described in the Old Covenant Law.

Leviticus 16:10, 22 NASB

But the goat on which the lot for the scapegoat fell shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, to send it into the wilderness as the scapegoat.

The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to a solitary land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.

The word translated as scapegoat literally means goat of removal, or departure. The sins (burden) of Israel were to be transferred to the scapegoat and it was to take that burden (sin) away from the congregation. This is a type of the Christ who John the Baptist called the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Grk. kosmos).”

Frodo is simultaneously appointed as priest and the goat of removal. Two functions that Jesus fulfilled. We are excited to continue following this thread as we continue reading through The Lord of the Rings.

Music

Gaudete from the album Sir Christèmas, by Brocelïande.

Additional Resources:

• The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, by Robert Foster
• Christianity in Lord of the Rings, by Peter Kreeft
• The Fellowship of the Ring Audiobook read by Rob Inglis
• The Lord of the Rings 1981 Radio Dramatization by BBC

What stood out to you in The Council Of Elrond Pt. 8? Let us know in the comments below.

On The Secret Fire Podcast we travel chapter-by-chapter and book-by-book through J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth viewing it through Christian lenses. We invite you to join us each week as we continue the adventure on the Arkenstone server in Lord Of The Rings Online.

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Theme song: Hobbit’s Dance from the album Memories Of Middle Earth, by Brobdingnagian Bards

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