A Study of the Tabernacle—Part 5

The Altar of Burnt Offerings

What does it take to enter into the presence of God? In one word—ATONEMENT! OK, maybe two words—ATONEMENT & REDEMPTION! Well, come to think of it, there is a third word—RECONCILIATION, and even a fourth word—JUSTIFICATION! And, how about COMMITMENT? Wow, there are a lot of things needed to enter into the presence of God! How does anyone remember all of these, in addition to knowing what some of these fancy words even mean?

The holiness of God demands a lot, but the love of God is large enough to not only teach what brings satisfaction to His holiness, but to also ultimately provide the only thing that will satisfy Him for eternity. This is where the layout of the Tabernacle has significance. God began teaching about and pointing to His ultimate provision right after the people of Israel entered into covenant with Him. However, instead of giving them volumes of theological exposition to read, He gave them an object lesson from which to learn—there is no entering into His presence without a proper sacrifice.

The first thing you come to upon entering the Tabernacle is the altar for burnt offerings. This was a five foot tall bronze altar shaped in a square that measured approximately eight feet across on each side. It was here that the priests offered before God the various sacrificial offerings on behalf of the people of Israel. Some of these sacrifices demonstrated complete devotion to God (such as the burnt offering, in which every part of the sacrifice was given to God), and some were used for atonement for sin. Some were offerings in which the priest and the one offering the sacrifice would share in a meal after choice portions of the sacrifice were offered to God. The animals offered up to God were to be the first and best of the flocks and herds of the Israelites. No sick or deformed animals were acceptable. God did not want Israel’s leftovers. He sought the first of what they had (thus requiring the first-born of their flocks and herds to be dedicated to Him), and the best, most prized animals. The price for their sins and to maintain a healthy relationship with God was considerable!

The significance was that Israel was learning what it takes to dwell in the presence of their holy God. One cannot accidently please God! It takes devotion and commitment and intention. It takes SACRIFICE! Even the pursuits of what seem so important in this world were to be laid aside or offered to God upon the altar of burnt offerings. To have God in our midst takes a willingness to put Him above all other pursuits and to recognize the high price tag placed upon Atonement, Redemption, Reconciliation, Justification and Commitment!

The incredible thing is how all of this points to the great gift of God, Himself, as He offers up the ultimate sacrifice—His Son—to provide an eternal answer to these needs. God did not ask for anything more than He was willing to give Himself! He provided His first and best in order to provide Atonement, Redemption, Reconciliation, Justification, and to show His Commitment to us!

Today, we do not have to offer up animals for sacrifice because Jesus is the once-for-all-time sacrifice. However, God still seeks our first and best. He still wants to our devotion, our commitment, our intention. Are we serving Him leftovers, or giving Him the choice selections of what we have to offer? This is what the altar is truly about!

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-Scott