The Brazen Altar. Exodus 27:1-8 When God came out to men, anyone who entered through the one gate would face a brazen altar measuring seven-and-a-half feet by four-and-a-half feet high. This is where God first meets with us. It wasn't made as a barrier, but there was no way it could be ignored. A lot of activity took place at that altar. Altar means "elevated" or "lifted up," reminding us of the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." There was a perpetual fire burning sacrifices on the brazen altar.
An early morning sacrifice and an evening sacrifice were made for all the people every day. A constant flow of people, seeking relief from the guilt and condemnation of sin or offering thanksgiving for the blessings received from God, would be lined up, waiting for the opportunity to approach the brazen altar with their own sacrifices. The scent of burning flesh, smoke ascending constantly, and blood pouring out would always be in the air by that altar. This went on for hundreds of years until God's Perfect Lamb was offered "once for all," and the need for the types was over.
The altar, made of acacia (shittim) wood and overlaid with brass, was twice as tall as the furniture inside the Holy Place, including the ark and mercy seat in the Most Holy. The grate inside the altar was the same height as the ark, mercy seat, table, and altar of incense, showing that the sacrifice was placed where it would effectively reach the throne of God. The altar had no bottom, allowing all ashes to be removed, reminding us, "Their sins and iniquities I will remember no more forever."
All of the altars in the scripture built by people of faith, which we read about in the Bible, were meant to offer some kind of offering to the Lord. These served as shadows of the true reality of Christ offering Himself without blemish to God on our behalf. The brazen altar symbolized the cross, where sinners could meet God. A sinner would bring an innocent animal as a substitute, acknowledging their sin and recognizing that judgment was rightfully theirs. When the substitute was killed and its body burned, God’s righteous judgment against their sins became personal to them.
Being perfectly square with upward and outward-pointing horns at the four corners teaches us that the blessings from the altar and sacrifices made there extend in all directions to bring blessings to all mankind. Those horns were also a place one could cling to and find mercy. The sacrifice of Christ was first and foremost for God. He was the Lamb of God who bore away the sins of the world when He died on the cross for our sins. There was sufficient virtue in His sacrifice, so “whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” The blessings that come from His sacrifice are the blessings of the Gospel that go out to all the people of the world.
When the first sacrifice was placed on the altar, fire came out from God to consume the burnt offering and its fat. The people gathered there saw it happen, and in fear, they shouted and fell on their faces. God takes the sacrifice of Christ very seriously. Any way men belittle that sacrifice will lead them to face God's righteous wrath. Only through Jesus Christ is the penalty for sin paid. Anything added to what He accomplished on the cross is condemned. There can be no mixing of works with grace. Anyone who tries to add to this salvation through works remains condemned for their sins.
The fire that consumed the sacrifices burned for generations and was carried in appropriate containers when the Tabernacle was moved. The altar was the only piece during the move of the Tabernacle covered with a purple cloth and badgers' skins. The others were covered with blue. The sufferings of Christ and the glory that will follow are clearly connected. The day is coming when "they shall look on Him who they pierced." The cross work of the Lord Jesus Christ (type: the sacrifices burned on the altar's grate) and the fullness of God's mercy (type: the mercy seat at the same height) will be revealed in a future day when everyone will see the value of Christ's finished work.
In that position before the door of the Tabernacle, the brazen altar reminds us of the condemnation of sin dealt with by Christ's sacrifice. Just beyond it, by the door, was the laver made from the looking glasses the women brought, teaching us the need for original and continual sanctification that separates us from the contaminating effects of sin. Then the Tabernacle instructs us about the glorification that is in Christ, and by association, we will share with Him.
There were no chairs provided for priests to rest on. His work was never finished. There was no completed act of redemption until Christ said, "It is finished." Sacrifices were ongoing, but the Lord Jesus completed that redemptive work and "sat down" forever in a state of rest after the great accomplishment of Calvary. Ashes from the altar were taken to a clean place, and our Lord's body was placed in "a new tomb hewn out of a rock" where no other body had been laid.
After Christ's atoning death and His resurrection, which testified to God’s satisfaction with His work, God received Him back into heaven and seated Him at His right hand as the honored Servant who fulfilled God's will. “Righteousness and peace kissed each other.” Righteousness was satisfied because the full punishment for sin was accomplished forever. Peace was made possible through the “blood of His cross,” which meets our needs. Mercy and truth met together. Mercy can be extended to sinners who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and truth has been fulfilled by sin being judged and fully dealt with.
Burnt offerings and sin offerings were made at the brazen altar, with sinners placing their hands on the animal or victim as a personal identification with the sacrifice to be made. The burnt offering was a sweet aroma offering of personal appreciation to God. Our Lord Jesus Christ was the true sacrifice who was acceptable to God and glorified God in every way. That offering was entirely for God and was burned there. The sin offering began with the sinner’s confession of sin, with hands on the animal, signifying the transfer of sin from the guilty to the innocent. The lifeblood of the sacrifice made atonement for sin. The body was burned outside the camp.
Now, we who have come to Christ are in a state of "no condemnation." The altar was just inside the gate where those who entered by faith could approach God. The sacrifice on the altar was not on the earth but was lifted up just above it, similar to how “the Son of Man must be lifted up” between heaven and earth. The altar was like the “first heaven,” and the ark where God dwelled was like the “third heaven.” God first met with us at the altar where sin was atoned for, and now the way is open directly into God's presence in the Holiest of all.
Now, there is peace and rest that we can experience and enjoy continually. The sacrifice has been made and accepted once and for all. So, there is "No blood, no altar now. The sacrifice is o'er. No flame, no smoke ascends on high; the Lamb is slain no more."