The Bronze Altar
We finally get to a place in the Tabernacle that points to us, the worshipper. So far it's all pointed to Christ, and it's all been covered in gold and it's all been spectacular. But the purpose of the Tabernacle was to provide a place for man to meet with God. It's not just showing off who God is but calling people into His presence.
The altar was the largest piece of furniture in the temple. It's size was a grand reminder that any sacrifice to approach God would have to be whole and costly. The altar imposed upon the worshipper that God does not take half-worship. We are to offer it ALL.
Exodus 27 describes the altar:
Exodus 27:1–8 (ESV) “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. 2 And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. 3 You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. 4 You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. 5 And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar. 6 And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7 And the poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. 8 You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made.
The altar was a reminder that there could be no approach to God except by the place of sacrifice.
The altar was the largest piece of furniture in the temple. It's size was a grand reminder that any sacrifice to approach God would have to be whole and costly. The altar imposed upon the worshipper that God does not take half-worship. We are to offer it ALL.
It was bronze. That reminds us that our approach to God is never worthy of the worth of God. He is beyond our ability to praise Him fully. The heavens declare his glory! Who are we to match up to that standard? So far in God's description of the tabernacle everything was to be made with gold This is the first item to be made with something less. It reminds the worshipper, only God is King.
It had horns on the corners. Some believe this was for utilitarian purposes to tie down the animals in sacrifice. Others believe they represented strength as the "horn" was an ancient symbol of one's strength. Later in the Bible, men in trouble would take hold of the "horns of the altar". Consider:
1 Kings 1:50 (ESV) And Adonijah feared Solomon. So he arose and went and took hold of the horns of the altar.
I believe everything about this altar points to the proper worship of God.
The altar is large because He is worthy of far more than what we can give, yet we are to bring it all!
The altar is bronze because He is king and we are His servants. Not the other way around.
The horns are there to remind us that worshipping God is a source of strength! We come to God and find Him strong for us. In worship we take hold of Him!
But even more so, when we come to worship God, we must come ready to lay down on the altar that which tends to want to leave the altar. Worship is costly and takes effort. Imagine strapping down a young goat and wrestling that object of value into submission for God. How often we want "cheap" worship that fits around us and doesn't cost us. This is NEVER what we are called to do. I wonder if this is what Paul had in mind when he spoke of pursuing Christ saying he "presses on and take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him!" (Philippians 3).
When we approach God, are we all in? Are we aware of His glory and worth? Are we giving Him that which costs us something? This is worship and this is where our strength is found. The glory of God and the worth of God reminds us that NOTHING is beyond His power and dominion. We have nothing to fear! Our God is worthy of the HIGHEST PRAISE. Let us approach Him in a way fitting of who He is!
It had horns on the corners. Some believe this was for utilitarian purposes to tie down the animals in sacrifice. Others believe they represented strength as the "horn" was an ancient symbol of one's strength. Later in the Bible, men in trouble would take hold of the "horns of the altar". Consider:
1 Kings 1:50 (ESV) And Adonijah feared Solomon. So he arose and went and took hold of the horns of the altar.
I believe everything about this altar points to the proper worship of God.
The altar is large because He is worthy of far more than what we can give, yet we are to bring it all!
The altar is bronze because He is king and we are His servants. Not the other way around.
The horns are there to remind us that worshipping God is a source of strength! We come to God and find Him strong for us. In worship we take hold of Him!
But even more so, when we come to worship God, we must come ready to lay down on the altar that which tends to want to leave the altar. Worship is costly and takes effort. Imagine strapping down a young goat and wrestling that object of value into submission for God. How often we want "cheap" worship that fits around us and doesn't cost us. This is NEVER what we are called to do. I wonder if this is what Paul had in mind when he spoke of pursuing Christ saying he "presses on and take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him!" (Philippians 3).
When we approach God, are we all in? Are we aware of His glory and worth? Are we giving Him that which costs us something? This is worship and this is where our strength is found. The glory of God and the worth of God reminds us that NOTHING is beyond His power and dominion. We have nothing to fear! Our God is worthy of the HIGHEST PRAISE. Let us approach Him in a way fitting of who He is!
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