Consecrating the Altar
December 17, 2021
Commentary
The substance of the prophet’s vision now returns to a description of parts of the temple area and regulations concerning the temple’s future use. At the very heart of the temple was its altar; the prophet first describes the altar, and then indicates the procedures by which it would be put to use once again.
The description of the altar (vv. 13-17). The altar was a large, stone structure located in the inner court of the temple compound. The construction, as described here, is a reminder of a much larger structure familiar in ancient Babylon, the ziggurat, of which some remains may still be seen by the modern traveler in southern Iraq. The whole structure was more than twelve feet high, and access to the top was gained by means of the steps on the eastern side of the altar. It was on the temple’s altar that the sacrifices were offered which would restore, and make possible the continuation of, the relationship between Israel and God. The altar was a reminder not only of the gap that separates human beings from God, but also of the possibility of that gap being bridged. And thus the altar of Ezekiel’s visionary temple reminds us of another altar, in the form of a cross, on which a perfect sacrifice at last achieved the bridging of that gap that separates human beings from their God.The laws for the use of the altar (vv. 18-27). Nothing was to be casual in the use of the restored temple; the new altar could not be put to use immediately, as if there had been no break in the functioning of the temple. For one week the priests of the family of Zadok were to offer special sacrifices upon the altar, the purpose of which was specifically to cleanse it and sanctify it for its proper and perpetual usage, namely the offering of sacrifices on behalf of human beings.
Application
Today, Christ’s death has made the forgiveness of my sins possible, making me acceptable to God (Heb. 9:9-15). God stands ready to forgive me when I come to Him in faith.
Ezekiel 43:13– 27 (NET)
13 “And these are the measurements of the altar: Its base is 1¾ feet high and 1¾ feet wide, and its border nine inches on its edge. This is to be the height of the altar. 14 From the base of the ground to the lower ledge is 3½ feet, and the width 1¾ feet; and from the smaller ledge to the larger ledge, 7 feet, and the width 1¾ feet; 15 and the altar hearth, 7 feet, and from the altar hearth four horns projecting upward. 16 Now the altar hearth is a perfect square, 21 feet long and 21 feet wide. 17 The ledge is 24½ feet long and 24½ feet wide on four sides; the border around it is 10½ inches, and its surrounding base 1¾ feet. Its steps face east.”
18 Then he said to me: “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: These are the statutes of the altar: On the day it is built to offer up burnt offerings on it and to sprinkle blood on it, 19 you will give a young bull for a sin offering to the Levitical priests who are descended from Zadok, who approach me to minister to me, declares the Sovereign Lord. 20 You will take some of its blood and place it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and on the border all around; you will purify it and make atonement for it. 21 You will also take the bull for the sin offering, and it will be burned in the appointed place in the temple, outside the sanctuary.
22 “On the second day, you will offer a male goat without blemish for a sin offering. They will purify the altar just as they purified it with the bull. 23 When you have finished purifying it, you will offer an unblemished young bull and an unblemished ram from the flock. 24 You will present them before the Lord, and the priests will scatter salt on them and offer them up as a burnt offering to the Lord.
25 “For seven days you will provide every day a goat for a sin offering; a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without blemish, will be provided. 26 For seven days they will make atonement for the altar and cleanse it, so they will consecrate it. 27 When the prescribed period is over, on the eighth day and thereafter the priests will offer up on the altar your burnt offerings and your peace offerings; I will accept you, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Illustration: Obtaining Forgiveness of Sin
A Sunday School teacher had just concluded her lesson and wanted to make sure she had made her point. She said, “Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness of sin?” There was a short pause and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up. “Sin,” he said. (Bits and Pieces, May, 1991).