Monday Meditation
May 16, 2016
From the desk of A.J. Higgins
The Brazen Altar
“Thou shalt make an altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare; and the height thereof shall be three cubits … and thou shalt overlay it with brass.” Exodus 27:1, 2
As an Israelite entered through the gate of the tabernacle into the court the brazen altar was directly in front of him. He could not miss it. Not only was it there and available, it also blocked any access into the holy place. Its very position bespoke a message of evangelical proportions to his soul. From that altar arose continually a sacrifice to God which each individual entering the court was able to see. Blood would have been prominent and ubiquitous, telling of death’s tragic necessity, and sin’s awful cost.
Its Dimensions:
At five cubits by five cubits by three cubits (7.5 ft x 7.5 ft x 4.5 ft), the brazen altar was the largest piece of furniture in the tabernacle, True, we do not know the size of the lampstand, but aside from that, we know that every piece of furniture in the tabernacle could have all been placed together in the brazen altar. Its impressive size was likely meant to arrest the attention of anyone entering the court and teach them the importance of what was being transacted on this altar.
It was made of the same wood as the ark and table, but now brass (or copper) is seen replacing the gold. The brass is a reminder of divine judgment which was linked with the altar. Here is where the fire was to burn continually, causing the holocaust to ascend heavenward.
Half-way down the altar at the one and half cubit level, was a grate upon which the sacrifices were to be placed. At one and a half cubits it would have been on the same level as the mercy seat within the vail. The link between the altar and the ark and mercy seat was thus established.
The altar was foursquare reminding us that all God’s ways are equal in the great matter of salvation. There is no compromise to His character and no favoritism in His gospel message. He desires all men to be saved (1 Tim 2:4).
Its Designation:
The altar is referred to in Exodus 40:10 as most holy. It was also called the altar of the burnt offering (Ex 40:39). The former stresses its sanctity, while the latter would express its service. It was where the burnt offering rose to God. It was also the brazen altar, the altar made of brass (copper). Had it only been of acacia wood, it could not have endured the flames. Had the Lord Jesus been a mere man, He could not have endured the totality of divine judgment.
Its Distinction:
Here is the first mention of horns linked with the tabernacle. They speak of power, but power that is linked with an altar. It was because of Who Christ is, His glory and power, that He went to the altar. The horns at the four corners invited all from every direction to come with their sacrifice and find acceptance at this altar.
Consider:
1. The number “5” is frequently linked with grace. Why do you think the number is so prominent in the size of the altar?
2. God frequently speaks of the altar of the burnt offering (Ex 40:10). He never speaks of the “burnt offerings” (plural). Recall that in Exodus 12 when speaking of the Passover lamb, it was also always in the singular even though thousands must have been offered. What does this “singular” number suggest?
3. How many things linked with the tabernacle and the High Priest were “foursquare” and what would it signify?
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