Goats, as depicted in the Bible, carry significant symbolic weight due to their distinct characteristics. They are intelligent, sensitive, and playful, quickly responding to individual attention and affection. However, goats are also capricious, impulsive, unpredictable, devious, and contrary. When grazing, they often poke their heads through fences, straining for greener grass, or stand on hind legs to reach tender leaves just out of grasp, showing they are never content with what they have. They are experts at opening gates and squeezing through small gaps, hating confinement, and fences that hold sheep, cattle, and horses fail to restrain them. Goats work tirelessly to escape any inhibiting situation. Unlike sheep, goats lack strong gregarious behavior, preferring to lead or go off on their own rather than follow. Their stubbornness is evident in their resistance to being moved against their will, often trotting off in their chosen direction once released. These traits highlight their independent and divisive nature, contrasting sharply with the obedient, flock-oriented behavior of sheep.

Goats are impulsive and unpredictable. They are devious and contrary, always stubborn and never content with what they have. Goats are by nature impatient and do not have a strong flocking or herding instinct like sheep and cattle. They prefer leading or going off on their own. A goat follows only its own lead, creating disunity when in contact with others in the flock. Because of their independent nature, goats often find themselves in contention. Goats are quick to retaliate if they feel threatened or slighted.

Goats are characterized by their tendency to push to the edge, be recalcitrant, and impetuously push to the front. These traits are metaphorically linked to human behaviors that need to be subjugated under the guidance of God's Holy Spirit. In a spiritual context, goats represent individuals who, like the unconverted Peter, may act impetuously but are expected to learn patience and faithfulness, using their innate leadership qualities meekly and righteously through a lifetime of relationship with Jesus Christ.

In the context of the burnt offering, goats are among the animals that can be offered, alongside bullocks, sheep, and turtledoves, each representing specific characteristics of Jesus Christ that we are encouraged to emulate. Goats, specifically male goats, symbolize stateliness, dignity, leadership, and singleness of purpose. They are depicted as leaders, often out in front, guiding others, as seen in various scriptural references where the term for goat and leader is interchangeable. However, unlike the other animals, goats carry a tragic flaw in their tendency toward independence and a desire to take over, often going off in their own direction. This independent streak means they are not as passive or uncomplaining as sheep, and they can resist being part of the group, thinking themselves above it. While God allows goats to be used in offerings because they still reflect some qualities of His Son, they are not viewed with the same favor as other sacrificial animals due to this inherent flaw, serving as a warning to us about the need to control such tendencies.

Goats, within the context of sacrificial symbolism, embody characteristics that can reflect both positive and negative traits. They are often recognized for contrariness and stubbornness, yet they also symbolize strong-mindedness, a commanding presence, and singleness of purpose. These positive qualities align with true meekness and leadership, as exemplified by Jesus Christ on the day of His crucifixion. Despite submitting to being sent by rulers and led by their agents, He maintained His dignity and bearing as a leader, displaying the beneficial aspects of goat-like traits without obstinance or defiance. His meekness allowed Him to ensure the liberty of His disciples, prioritizing their well-being over His own, and courageously laying down His life rather than having it taken from Him.

The male goat represents strong-mindedness, singleness of purpose, and leadership rather than following. Scripture does not view the goat in as positive a light as a sheep, possibly because those who exhibit these traits can often be offensive to their brethren and tend to go off in their own direction in their drive to achieve goals. Ego frequently accompanies leadership and initiative. On the positive side, the imagery of a he-goat conveys leadership; if among a flock of sheep, it assumes command with a sense of dignity, stately bearing, and undaunted courage, though it also carries a strong inclination toward haughtiness.

In the context of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, goats exhibit distinct characteristics that set them apart from sheep. In areas where grazing is sparse due to drought, goats tend to browse rather than graze, mingling with sheep but not forming close bonds with them. At evening, while sheep respond to the shepherd's voice, goats may choose to ignore his call. At nightfall, goats cannot endure the cold and require shelter, unlike sheep who prefer the open air. Symbolically, the shepherd places goats on his left side, in contrast to the sheep on his right, highlighting a separation of species. Goats are often associated with something sinister, shady, and evil, and their black-colored skin contrasts with the white fleece of sheep, which stands out as a symbol of righteousness. Biblically, goats are frequently linked with sin, either carrying it in sacrificial contexts or representing those whose sins remain unforgiven in the parable of final judgment. When their traits are likened to human behavior, goats are seen as impulsive, unpredictable, devious, and contrary, always seeking something better elsewhere and never content with what they have. Despite this negativity, goats possess positive attributes as well; they are intelligent, sensitive, playful, and quick to respond to individual attention and affection. Additionally, goats' hair is valued for making cloth, as seen in the curtains of the Tabernacle, and is used as a compliment in the Song of Songs, comparing a beloved's hair to a flock of goats moving down the slopes of Gilead, suggesting a valuable and beautiful image.

Goats are not directly mentioned in the provided material with specific characteristics outlined. However, within the context of offerings and sacrifices, animals are referenced as part of the burnt offering, where life is given to God. The material emphasizes that life belongs to Him because He gave it, and we are to respect His ownership. The animal's sacrifice symbolizes what we owe God, as it gave its life so we can live. This act of offering life stands in contrast to the meal offering, which involves the fruit of the earth and represents our duty to man. Both duties—to God through the surrender of life and to neighbor through the fruit of our labor—are essential and must go together to be acceptable to Him.

Goats have always been considered naturally quarrelsome, foul-smelling, and symbolic of stubborn people. In the context of judgment, as depicted in Matthew 25:31-32, there comes a time of separation between those who have diligently watched and taken on the nature of God and those who have merely gone through the motions. Both groups shared the same opportunities and instructions, yet the stubborn goats are placed on the left, a position of disfavor, highlighting their failure to align with God's expectations.

Goats, as mentioned in the context of our spiritual journey, reflect a significant transformation relevant to our pilgrimage. During the Atonement sermon, the example of the apostle Peter was used to illustrate the conversion from a carnal goat leader to a leader goat in the image of Jesus Christ. This transformation is a critical reminder of our own progress heading west, against the grain, on our path toward the Father. It underscores the importance of overcoming our carnal nature to align with the holiness required on this sacred journey.

Goats, as described in the context of the flock, are individuals who exert a contrary influence on the sheep. They are characterized by impurity, with nothing being pure to them, as their mind and conscience are defiled. This defilement extends to their intellect and moral sense, resulting in a lack of grasp on the basics of right and wrong. Their works are described as abominations—abhorrent, disgusting, offensive, and detestable—void of judgment, disobedient to God, and unfit for use. Despite professing to know God, their actions deny Him, revealing a deep-seated problem in their thoughts and behaviors. These characteristics stand in stark contrast to the purity and love exhibited by the sheep, highlighting the need to identify and address such influences within the flock to protect its integrity.