The Altar of Burnt Offering
September 14, 2020
Commentary
In giving instructions about the tabernacle, God moved from the inner sanctuary outward to the courtyard. The first item was the large altar of burnt offering, made of acacia wood and covered with bronze (vv. 1–8). It was about seven feet square and nearly five feet high—large enough for sacrifices of bulls, sheep, and goats. This was the first thing the Israelites saw when entering. The altar had bronze grates and rings for carrying poles and functioned like an outdoor firepit.
Sacrifices were constantly offered there, reminding the people they could only approach God through the shedding of blood. Sin required atone-ment. Each animal offered showed that life must be given to cover sin. Like-wise, the New Testament teaches that forgiveness today comes only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose death brings salvation to all who trust in Him (HEB 9:22; 1PET 1:18–19).
The court of the tabernacle surrounded the sacred tent and measured about 150 by 75 feet (vv. 9–19). It was enclosed by a curtain fence, forming a boundary between what was holy and what was common. Inside, the priests carried out their duties, slaughtering animals, burning sacrifices, and present-ing offerings to the LORD. The courtyard was not for outsiders but for God’s chosen people, showing that fellowship with Him required a covenant rela-tionship.
To provide light in the tabernacle, a lampstand with seven lamps burned continually (vv. 20–21). The Israelites faithfully brought pure olive oil so the priests could keep the lamps burning day and night, symbolizing God’s unending presence with His people and their continual worship before Him.
Application
When I see the altar and lampstand, I’m reminded that coming near to God always requires both sacrifice and light. Jesus gave His life to cleanse my sin, and now His Spirit lights my path each day. Do I keep that light burning through prayer and obedience? How can I honor His sacrifice and shine bright for Him this week?
Exodus 27:1–21 (NET)
1 “You are to make the altar of acacia wood, 7½ feet long, and 7½ feet wide; the altar is to be square, and its height is to be 4½ feet . 2 You are to make its four horns on its four corners; its horns will be part of it, and you are to overlay it with bronze. 3 You are to make its pots for the ashes, its shovels, its tossing bowls, its meat hooks, and its fire pans—you are to make all its utensils of bronze. 4 You are to make a grating for it, a network of bronze, and you are to make on the network four bronze rings on its four corners. 5 You are to put it under the ledge of the altar below, so that the network will come halfway up the altar. 6 You are to make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and you are to overlay them with bronze. 7 The poles are to be put into the rings so that the poles will be on two sides of the altar when carrying it. 8 You are to make the altar hollow, out of boards. Just as it was shown you on the mountain, so they must make it.
9 “You are to make the courtyard of the tabernacle. For the south side there are to be hangings for the courtyard of fine twisted linen, 150 feet long for one side, 10 with twenty posts and their twenty bronze bases, with the hooks of the posts and their bands of silver. 11 Likewise for its length on the north side, there are to be hangings for 150 feet, with twenty posts and their twenty bronze bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts. 12 The width of the court on the west side is to be 75 feet with hangings, with their ten posts and their ten bases. 13 The width of the court on the east side, toward the sunrise, is to be 75 feet. 14 The hangings on one side of the gate are to be 22½ feet long, with their three posts and their three bases. 15 On the second side there are to be hangings 22½ feet long, with their three posts and their three bases. 16 For the gate of the courtyard there is to be a curtain of 30 feet, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine twisted linen, the work of an embroiderer, with four posts and their four bases. 17 All the posts around the courtyard are to have silver bands; their hooks are to be silver, and their bases bronze. 18 The length of the courtyard is to be 150 feet and the width 75 feet, and the height of the fine twisted linen hangings is to be 7½ feet, with their bronze bases. 19 All the utensils of the tabernacle used in all its service, all its tent pegs, and all the tent pegs of the courtyard are to be made of bronze.
20 “You are to command the Israelites that they bring to you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, so that the lamps will burn regularly. 21 In the tent of meeting outside the curtain that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons are to arrange it from evening to morning before the Lord. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for generations to come.
The Mother Who Gave The Ultimate Sacrifice – David Lloyd George
Many years ago, a young mother was making her way on foot across the hills of South Wales, carrying her infant son. A blinding blizzard overtook the pair, and the mother never reached her destination. Searchers found her lifeless body, with the ba … Continue