THE TABERNACLE: THE BRAZEN ALTAR

Read exdous 27:1-8; 38:1-7; As all the sacrifices were offered on the Brazon Alter (Leviticus 17:8-9), it is thus typifies the cross of death of Christ. Leviticus 1:9; and Ephesians 5:2.

1. THE LOCATION OF THE ALTAR; THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRIST’S DEATH

Exodus 40:16 “set the altar…before the door.”  Upon entering the gate, the altar was the FIRST object seen.  I Corinthians 15:3 “first of all…..Christ dies for our sns”  Hebrews 9:22 “without shedding the blood…no remission.”

2. THE MATERIALS OF THE ALTAR: THE NATURE OF CHRIST’S DEATH

Exodus 27: 1,8 “an altar of shittim wood…with boards.”  Wood, a fit symbol of Christ’s humanity. Psalm 1:3 “a tree” Isaiah 53:2,8 “a tender plant…cut off.”  Brass (copper) symbolizes judgment.  Christ bore the judgment of God against sin.  I Timothy 2:5-6 “the man Christ Jesus…a ramson.  Zechariah 13:7 “awake, O sword, against the man.”  Isaiah 53:4, 10 “smitten of God, and afflicted.

3. THE SIZE OF THE ALTAR: THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST DEATH

Exodus 27:1 five cubits long, five wide, and three high.  The brazen altar was larger than all the rest of the furniture of the tabernacle combined (7 1/2 by 7 1/2 by 4 1/2.  Romans 8:32 “delivered Him up…with Him..all things.”  Ephesians 1:3 :AI scriptural blessing…in Christ.”

4. THE SHAPE OF THE ALTAR: THE UNIVERSALITY OF CHRIST’S DEATH

Exodus 27:1 “the altar shall be foursquare, ” i.e., equally displayed to the four corners of the earth. John 3:16 “for God so loved the world that he gave…”  I John 2:2 “the propitiation…for the whole world,: Matthew 28:19 “go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”

5. THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR: THE POWER OF CHRIST’S DEATH

Exodus 27:2 “make the horns of it upon the four corners.”  Horns are a symbol of power. I Samuel 2:10; Daniel  8:3-4.  Romans 1:16 “gospel (cross etc) is the power of God.”  I Corinthians 1:18 “preaching of the cross…is the power of God.”

6. THE FIRE OF THE ALTAR: THE ETERNAL VALUE OF CHRIST’S DEATH

Levitious 9:23-24 “there came fire out from before the Lord.”  Levitious 6:13 “the fire shall ever be burning….never go out.”  This signifies, not that Christ must be sacrificed forever, but that His one offering is eternally efficacious.  Hebrews 10:11-14 “one sacrifice for sin forever.”