The Brazen Altar

The Brazen Altar

The first thing a person would see when they entered God's sanctuary would be the brazen altar, also known as the altar of burnt offerings.

The dimensions of the altar were about 7 feet square and about 4 feet high. It was made of acacia wood covered with brass.

Every time a person committed a sin, whether in thought or in deed, whether by an action or a neglect of a duty, it was to this alter that they were to bring a live offering, such as a lamb. The animal had to be perfect, without any blemish. The person would place their hands upon the head of the animal and confess their sin to God. This action symbolically transferred the sin from the person to the animal. The person then had to kill the animal himself, catching the blood in a basin so that the Levites could later pour the blood out at the base of the altar.

The insides of the animal had to be cut out, cleaned with water and given to the Levites. They would then take the whole animal and burn it on the altar for the forgiveness of the sin committed. All of this was to show that in God's sight sin is a horrible thing, and that it was only by the shedding of blood that we could receive forgiveness of sins.

God does not enjoy the shedding of blood of an innocent animal. These animals all represented in one way or another the work of the Messiah, who was perfect in all His ways, yet was killed for our sins. And as you confess your sins to Him, asking for forgiveness and accepting His death for you personally, you can know that you are forgiven. And even more than this, you can know that your old lifestyle is dead, killed with Yeshua the Messiah. And since the Messiah has been raised to life again we can ask Him to give us a new life, and with His power not to do those sins again.

Picture originally found here

 

Related Articles

More From Articles

Nathan Saved Bathsheba's Life

Adonijah is a person that not many seem familiar with. He was actually the fourth son of David…
Nathan Saved Bathsheba's Life
Illustration: Daniel in the Lion's Den

Daniel in Jewish Tradition

Considering the importance of the prophet-hakham Daniel, Shabbat Shalom has chosen to hear from…
Daniel in Jewish Tradition

Altar of Incense

One of the three pieces of furniture in the Holy Place of God's sanctuary is the Altar of…
Altar of Incense

Just Because God Didn't Say It

“The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of…
Just Because God Didn't Say It

A Tale of Two Women

We often hear of the courageous deeds of Esther and her role in saving the Jewish people, and…
A Tale of Two Women

Heaven

Do you ever think about heaven? It is a beautiful place.
Heaven

The Forbidden Chapter: Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53 is banned literature in many synagogues and is often omitted from rabbinical training…
The Forbidden Chapter: Isaiah 53

Women to Women, Men to Men

Moreover, the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was called Shifrah and…
Women to Women, Men to Men

Foreigner

Have you ever been a 'foreigner?' In a foreign country, you're constantly aware that you are…
Foreigner

Job

Have you ever wondered why God allows suffering, pain, war, and sickness?
Job
Illustration: Job, covered with boils, sits listening to his friends.

What Does it Cost to be Faithful?

The ancient story of Job in the Bible has encouraged many men and women throughout the ages.…
What Does it Cost to be Faithful?
Reuben

Reuben

Jacob, whom GOD later renamed Israel, had 12 children. These 12 children and their descendants…
Reuben

If God is Love

Many people seem to struggle with reconciling these two verses: “The LORD is compassionate and…
If God is Love

Samson & Delilah

At a time when Israel was not following GOD and they were under the rulership of the…
Samson & Delilah

Elishah & Gehazi

Naaman, a commander in the Syrian army, was instructed by a young Jewish girl to go to Israel…
Elishah & Gehazi
Woman drinking water

Satisfying the Inner Thirst

A person in good health can live about 40 days without food, but only three days without water.…
Satisfying the Inner Thirst

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation