(51) The Bronze Altar - Part 2

Let’s pause for a moment and consider the symbolism behind the sacrifices. In Leviticus, God instructed the people on the specifics of five main personal offerings. In His instructions regarding the burnt offering He instructs:

When you present an animal as an offering to the LORD, you may take it from your herd of cattle or your flock of sheep and goats. 3"If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the herd, it must be a male with no defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you may be accepted by the LORD. 4Lay your hand on the animal's head, and the LORD will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him. (Leviticus 1:2-4 )

The instruction of putting the hand on the head of the sacrifice is repeated for the Peace offering and the Sin offering. Notice that God says that this act of putting your hand on the head of the offering designates the offered animal as a substitute. By laying his hand upon the head of the offering, the person was identifying with the sacrifice. His sin and guilt was being moved from himself to the animal. The death of the animal is accepted by God as a substitute for the life of the sinner. The sin is atoned for, the guilt is removed.

But could an animal sacrifice really pay for the sins of man? The writer of Hebrews answers this question with a resounding and emphatic “No!” “It is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Heb. 10:4).” All these sacrifices, repeated day after day were only a shadow, a picture pointing forward with hope to the complete and permanent sacrifice of Jesus.

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. (Hebrews 7:26-27 NLT)

The continual, endless sacrificing of animals for the sins of the people was completed and fulfilled by the once-for-all sacrifice made by Jesus. Those who believed God and practiced the Old Testament sacrifices according to God’s instruction were forgiven through these sacrifices. But it is important to note that Jesus’ sacrifice was the only sacrifice that could satisfy God’s justice. All of the Old Testament sacrifices depended on and looked forward with hope to the atoning value of Christ’s future sacrifice. Even in the Old Testament, people were forgiven only on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, even though that sacrifice had not yet been offered. When they trusted in God to forgive them, God did so on the basis that Christ would eventually die for their sin.

Think of it. Endless, repetitive, bloody sacrifice of thousands of animals was needed to provide a picture of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice. That’s the glory of Jesus’ sacrifice. That was the great hope of Old Testament believers.

To know Jesus up close and personal is to know the one who is holy and pure; a God who takes sin seriously. To know Jesus up close and personal is to know that sin is unacceptable and must be eradicated from our lives because it demanded the brutal suffering and bloody death of Jesus. Even what we consider the smallest, insignificant sins!
 
Next:  (52) The Bronze Basin

(50) The Bronze Altar - Part 1

We continue our guided tour of the Tabernacle. As soon as we enter the outer court we begin to notice the furniture. The furniture that went inside was also meticulously designed by God. And every piece was a model, pointing forward to Jesus, the real thing. Every piece was a message of hope.



The first piece of furniture we come across in the courtyard is the bronze altar. It is 7 ½ feet square, 4 ½ feet high. It is made of Acacia wood, overlaid with bronze. This is the center of activity in the Tabernacle. On it, the sacrifices take place. Multiple sacrifices, every day. Take a look at the great number of animals sacrificed on this altar.

This total does not include personal sacrifices made by one million adults! The altar is a place of death. It is a bloody place. It is a place where there is the constant reminder of sin. The altar reminds us that sin always leads to death. Before anyone could approach God, there had to be confession and forgiveness of sin. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness (Heb. 9:22).

Day after day in a never ending repetition, bloody sacrifices had to be made to deal with the sins of the people. It was a continual and never ending reminder of sin and their need of a permanent and perfect sacrifice.

Next: (51)  The Bronze Altar - Part 2