The Altar of Burnt Offering

The Altar of Burnt Offering was made of the same acacia wood found throughout the construction of the Tabernacle. In this case the acacia wood was covered with bronze (the alloy of copper and tin), or perhaps with copper. The scholars are not certain. It seems likely from the account that it was one or the other.

The four horns sticking up from the four corners of the Altar symbolize the fact that the good news of Christ's atoning death is to be preached to the ends of the earth; and that His death and the resulting atonement, working through the power of His resurrection, will push with irresistible power and authority until the Kingdom of God fills the earth and Christ is Lord of all.

During the days of the Tabernacle of the Congregation the four horns of the Altar of Burnt Offering were used for tying the animals to be sacrificed ("bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar"—Psalms 118:27).

The Altar of Burnt Offering was quite large, about four and one-half feet high and seven and one-half feet square. The Altar dominated the Courtyard area as well as the countryside adjacent to the Tabernacle because of the ceaseless activity of the priests, Levites, worshipers, animals; the sounds coming from it; the smell of fat and meat cooking.

In the same manner, Christ on the cross dominates (or should dominate) the activities of the Christian Church. "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me."

The word "altar" has the root meaning of slaying for sacrifice ; and the term "burnt offering" has the root meaning of ascending toward God what is acceptable and pleasing to Him.

The cross of Christ stands at the entrance to the salvation God has provided for mankind. The Body of Christ always must point to Christ on the cross for the world to see, and for itself to see. There is no other way by which people can approach the living God.

The redemption of the believer commences when he or she is in total chaos of spirit, soul, and body, without Christ, without hope, in the bondage of sin and death, and under the authority and power of Satan.

The story of creation in the first chapter of Genesis is one of the major types of the Scripture. It reveals that we start out as individuals "without form and void." We are out of harmony with God, with other people, and with ourselves. Sin has brought us personal confusion, friction, frustration, and grief—anguish of body and mind.

But Christ has made an atonement for us. The atonement takes us from our personal chaos of spirit, soul, and body, all having been corrupted by sin, and by the grace of God in Christ brings us all the way to the image of Christ in spirit, soul, and body, to our being made the Temple of God, and to authority and power through Christ over all things.

The entire process, from beginning to end, is the plan of salvation, or atonement, or reconciliation, or redemption—however you wish to refer to it. It all takes place in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Author and the Finisher of our faith.

To be continued.