The Altar of Burnt Offering
August 1, 2019
Commentary
In giving instructions about the tabernacle God progressed from within to the courtyard outside the tabernacle. A large altar of acacia wood covered with brass rested outside (vv. 1-8). It was about seven feet square and almost five feet high which was large enough to burn the sacrifice of bulls, sheep and other animals. This altar of burnt offering was the first thing the Israelites saw as they entered the tabernacle courtyard. This brazen altar had grates of brass and it functioned much like a modern day barbecue pit. Sacrifices were constantly made here and this vivid scene constantly reminded the people that they could only come to God by means of the sacrifice. It was the only way their sins could be forgiven and taken away. The same is true today in New Testament teaching as the death of Christ did not cover the sins for all mankind but only for those who by faith put their complete trust in Him.
The court of the tabernacle was a large open area approximately 150’ by 75’ and surrounded the tent itself (vv. 9-19). This area was enclosed by a fence of hanging curtains. Inside this enclosure the animals were slaughtered and sacrificed as the priests carried on their duties. This was provided only for God’s chosen people. Had it been designed for the wilderness-tribes also, everything would have been placed outside the tabernacles court; but it was not.
To supply the light in the tabernacle was the lamp stand with its seven lamps which required a continual provision of olive oil (vv. 20-21). The Israelites were to provide this oil continually so the priests could help keep the lamps burning.
Application
As stated above the only way that sins could be forgiven and taken away during this time period was for animals to be sacrificed on the altar. From this time on there was no need for any animal sacrifice as the greatest sacrifice was made by Jesus as He died that I might be saved.
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.
Illustration: 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 baby snuggled beneath her, warm and alive. She had wrapped her outer clothing and scarf around the boy and then covered him with her own body. That baby grew up to be David Lloyd George, British Prime Minister and one of England’s greatest statesmen. (Today in the Word, January, 1998, p. 10).