A) THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB.

B) THE PURPOSE OF THE BRAZEN ALTAR.

C) THE BRAZEN ALTARS MAKEUP.

D) THREE MEANINGS FOR THE WORD “DIE.”

E) THE WORD “ALTER.”

F) TO THE VESSELS.

G) THE PURPOSE OF THE BLOOD REPRESENTATION.

H) A COMPLETE CONSECRATION TO GOD.

I) THE ORIGINAL FIRE WAS IGNITED BY GOD.

J) OTHER LESSONS.

 

 

A) THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB

 

 

Here is where our Sacrificial Lamb is slain.  Here is where everything that can be given IS given, both by us and by God.  Here is where we have laid our sins upon our Sacrificial Lamb (of God and is God), but where, in offering them, we pledge to be faithful and repentant enough to commit them no longer.  Because the sacrifice was totally burned on the altar and was accepted by God, it represented total consecration to the Lord.

 

What is “blood” a symbol of?  Life!!!  It is poured out before the body is laid out upon the Brazen Altar.  Therefore, the symbolism is the pouring out of self in service to God.  What is the symbolism of an animal sacrifice being placed upon the Brazen Altar?  Giving your life totally to God.

 

 

B) THE PURPOSE OF THE BRAZEN ALTAR

 

 

The entire purpose for the Brazen Altar was for the acceptance of sacrifices.  And without sacrifices, there could be no atonements for sin (Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:22).  And the sacrifices being burnt on the altar were as a “sweet-smelling savor” to our God (Lev. Chp. 19).  This “sweet-smelling savor,” Ephesians 5:2, typified Christ, Who was offered up as the ultimate “sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor,” ibid.

 

It is also important to realize another purpose, that the sin-offering was burned to typify that through the death of Christ all sin would finally be destroyed in the fires of the last day (Mal. 4:1-3); that being, after the Third Coming.  According to Leviticus 16:25, “the fat” was to be “burnt.”  And if we go to Psalm 37:20, the “fat” represents the wicked being destroyed.

 

The Hebrew word for “burnt offering” is “olah,” meaning “that which goes up;” or “that which ascends.”  “It is a sweet savour. . . unto the Lord,” Exodus 29:18; etcetera (see again Eph. 5:2).  Another Hebrew word that is used is “kallil,” which means “whole.”  In other words, burn all of it.  Our modern word “holocaust,” actually means, “that which is entirely burned up.”  And, just as it was impossible for the priests to enter into the presence of God without first sacrificing at the Brazen Altar, so it is impossible today to come into the presence of our Lord except through the ministry of the cross.

 

 

C) THE BRAZEN ALTARS MAKEUP

 

 

The Brazen Altar was made with “shittim wood,” Exodus 27:1, “Hollow with boards,” Exodus 27:8, meaning, “hollowed out.”  It was then all overlaid “with brass,” Exodus 27:2.  Why “brass?”  Because “brass” disperses heat better than gold or silver.  Wood in the Sanctuary remember, represents humanity -- either our humanity, or the humanity of Christ, or both -- usually both.  But we must realize that all “wood” in the Sanctuary was “overlaid” with some type of metal, symbolizing Christ’s righteousness.  Let us not bring to the Brazen Altar “wood, hay, [or] stubble,” First Corinthians 3:12, but just as the “shittim wood” was overlaid with brass, such that it was not consumed by the sacrificial fire, so God will look to see if we have sacrificed all for Jesus and overlaid our characters with brass -- called “precious stones” in First Corinthians 3:12.  Without the “Brass” covering of Jesus over our wooden frames, the fires of the burnt offerings would consume us just like the lake of fire if we do not place our confidence and trust in Christ’s righteousness.

 

Looking at Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-7; 40:6, we discover that the Brazen Altar’s dimensions were “five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof,” which is about 4 1/2 feet high and 7 1/2 feet square.  It was hollow inside (Exo. 27:1), and it had four “horns thereof on the four corners of it,” and also it was “overlaid. . . with brass,” Exodus 38:2.

 

The “blood” from the sacrifices was both placed on the four horns and then sprinkled upon the Brazen Altar Itself.  Also, the remaining “blood” was drained into a basin and poured out at the base of the Brazen Altar.  This typified Christ Who poured out His “blood” on our behalf (Heb. 9:12-15).  In a side note, we can see that the “fleshhooks,”Exodus 27:3; 38:3, represented the cruel hands of the men who nailed our Lord to His cross (Luke 23:33).

 

Halfway between the top and the bottom was “a grate of network of brass,” Exodus 27:4.  It acted like a strainer.  Of this “grate,” or sieving process, God says:  “(9) I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain [of His people] fall upon the earth. (10) [However] All the sinners of My people shall die,” Amos 9:9-10.

 

 

D) THREE MEANINGS FOR THE WORD “DIE”

 

 

There are three meanings to the word “die” in Scripture:

 

1) Die eternally;

2) Die physically the first death; and

3) Die to self.

 

The first meaning is not meant for God’s people.  However, God hates sin, and just as soon as we understand that the entire Sanctuary service was a process of getting rid of sin eternally, the more rapidly we will want to dispense of it in or lives.

 

Just above this “grate” was “the compass of the altar,” Exodus 27:5; 38:4.  This was a narrow platform that encompassed the entire Altar about half way up, on which the priests walked when placing the firewood in, or generally arranging the parts of the sacrifice.  Since the feet of Christ were “like unto fine brass,” Revelation 1:15, so the feet of the earthy priests walked on a platform of brass.

 

The placement of the Brazen Altar was just inside the court Gate (Exo. 40:6), and facing the Tabernacle.  It comprises the largest piece of furniture used in the worship services of the Sanctuary.  Four brass rings, one for each corner, were fastened to it, of which two wooden staves covered with brass were put through in order to carry (move) it.

 

Considering its placement, one must realize that to approach the Tabernacle of God without offering a proper sacrifice (such as Abel’s over Cain’s; Gen. 4:4-5) upon the Altar, meant certain death.  Therefore, if one rejects the meritorious sacrifice of Christ’s work upon the cross, they will be separated from God and face “eternal death” (John 3:36; 1Jo. 5:12).  For our God requires a personal sacrifice from all who would approach Him.  And that is, “a living sacrifice,” Romans 12:1 (see also Gal. 2:20).

 

 

E) THE WORD “ALTER”

 

 

The word “altar” actually means, “high place.”  Therefore, the sacrifice had to be lifted up upon an elevated altar (Lev. 9:22); thus the platform half-way up upon It.  Now we can clearly see the implication and symbolism in Christ being lifted up upon the cross as our true Sacrifice.  The procedure of which was first displayed and symbolized in Israel’s wonderings and John 3:14:  “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”

 

 

 F) TO THE VESSELS

 

 

All the vessels were made of “brass,” such as the “pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons,” Exodus 27:3, and the other instruments.  Some of the “basons” were used for washing the sacrifice, while others were used to collect the blood of the sacrifice.  The symbolism here is that “we have redemption through His blood,” Ephesians 1:7, because “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin,” First John 1:7.  Also symbolized here is that Christ needed to be washed, or baptized before entering into His sacrificial role.  “Suffer it to be so now:  for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness,” Matthew 3:15.  How much more so that we experience “the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,” Mark 1:4.  To refuse to be baptized is to refuse to acknowledge that repentance is a requirement for salvation.  See Mark 16:16.

 

When the Lamb was brought into the court, it was bound “with cords, even unto the horns of the altar,” Psalm 118:27.  Horns are a representation of strength (Deu. 33:17; 1Sa. 2:10), honor (Job 16:15), power and victory (1Ki. 2:28; Lam. 2:3; Dan. 8:4-7; Heb. 3:4).  Thus, the four horns were to stretch out in all four directions, representing to the Jewish nation and the world, that the power of Christ’s blood sacrifice provides salvation to all of the “four corners of the earth,” Isaiah 11:12 & Revelation 7:1.  And this lamb, was to “be accepted for him,” or instead of the sinner, “to make atonement for him,” Leviticus 1:4, the sinner, Christ being that Substitute (Eph. 5:2).

 

 

G) THE PURPOSE OF THE BLOOD REPRESENTATION

 

 

That the life is in the blood (Lev. 17:11) is Biblically clear.  But the blood, which represented the life, was efficacious only after the death of the victim.  Had God intended to convey the idea that it was the blood as such that was efficacious without death, He would have so stated.  A certain amount of blood could have been withdrawn from an animal without killing it -- as is done in a blood transfusion.  So it was with Christ.  He must suffer the death of the transgressor through the loss of His blood and water (John 19:34; 1Jo. 5:6), that “by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions,” Hebrews 9:15, we shall receive the promise of eternal life (Rom. 5:10).  But the power of the blood to save is dependent upon the life of the One Who gave it.  Thus, Christ is our ultimate Sacrifice, because it was His righteous life that made the blood of any value.

 

The chief source of information concerning the individual burnt offerings is found in Leviticus, Chapter One.  Key to any offering is that it should be “without blemish,” verses 3 & 10, just as Christ was and is our Sacrifice (Eph. 5:2).  Also, it must be a “first-born” “male,” Leviticus 1:3; Numbers 3:13.  The “burnt offering” was a voluntary offering, acknowledging sin.  Just as we would acknowledge ours in First John 1:9.  And in Leviticus 1:3, this offering was voluntary, in contrast to any other offerings, which were mandatory.  The offeror was to “put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering,” verse 4.  This is the animal which he was to transfer his sin to.  This was the innocent animal that was raised by him in his own household, under his own roof, loved and adored by his children -- that it might be “accepted for him to make atonement for him,” ibid.  Just as Jesus should be brought into your household, so it is what you do to Him each time you sin.

 

In a side note.  And let it never be forgotten that one of these types of sacrifices was used in connection with the Nazarite vow (Num. 6:14).

 

 

H) A COMPLETE CONSECRATION TO GOD

 

 

However, all these sacrifices were instances in which the individual was offering to start anew with complete consecration to God.  The offender placed himself symbolically on the Brazen Altar, his life wholly devoted to God.  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  Romans 12:1.  We must be wholly dedicated to God, always striving towards perfection of character (Col. 1:27).  Only when all filth was removed from the burnt offering was it acceptable to God and permitted to be placed upon the Brazen Altar.

 

Therefore, “let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”  Second Corinthians 7:1.  This sacrifice, rightly placed first in the list of offerings enumerated in Leviticus, Chapter One, teaches complete consecration and entire surrender.  It correctly represents Christ, Whose example in giving Himself fully and completely to God’s service, must be a model in which we must learn to follow in His steps in every regard.

 

 

I) THE ORIGINAL FIRE WAS IGNITED BY GOD

 

 

The original fire was of God’s own kindling (Lev. 9:24), showing that He not only accepts the sacrifice, but also shares in it as He did at the cross.  The fire was to “never go out” (Lev. 6:13; see also Exo. 29:38-42), which represents not only the continual atonement of “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” John 1:29, but also the continual mercy of God and His constant acceptance of the repentant sinner (1Jo. 1:9).  Before entering “the gate,” we loved the world, and “the things that are in the world,” First John 2:15.

 

By contrast, when we bring our sin bearing Lamb to the Brazen Altar, we surrender all.  God can then reconcile “us to Himself by Jesus Christ,” Romans 5:18.  “(10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. . . (11) by Whom we have now received the atonement [or “reconciliation,” margin],” Romans 5:10-11.  And Christ is the purifier of sin through the fire that is kindled upon the Brazen Altar.  He It is, Who shall purge His people by the “spirit of burning,” Isaiah 4:4.  And He will purify “when He Appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire,” Malachi 4:2.  Except at that time, “our God is a consuming fire,” Hebrews 12:29 (see 2Th. 2:8), purifying those who would NOT be purified through the Sanctuary process.  In other words, it is a twofold process.  Which one do you want to be a part of?  Will you lay yours sins upon the Brazen Alter, which is Christ?

 

 

J) OTHER LESSONS

 

 

Another lesson we can learn from the Brazen Altar and the entire Sanctuary service, is “order.”  God gives specific directions regarding this.  Even the wood used for fuel was to be laid “in order upon the fire,” Leviticus 1:7, not merely piled up.  The pieces of the animal were to be placed “in order on the wood,” Leviticus 1:2, and not just thrown somewhere on the fire (Lev. 1:7-8 & 12).  There is complete “order” in Heaven, because our “God is not the Author of confusion,” First Corinthians 14:33.  He wants His people to be so dedicated to Him, that they will “Let all things be done decently and in order,” First Corinthians 14:40.

 

Along these lines another important lesson is that of “cleanliness.”  Before the pieces of the animal were burned upon the Brazen Altar, “his inwards and his legs,” Leviticus 1:9, were to be washed in water.  This would seem unnecessary considering the pieces were to be consumed on the Brazen Altar.  It seems only a waste of time to wash them before burning them.  Such is not how God considered it.  Nothing unclean must come upon the Brazen Altar, lest sin be considered acceptable to God.  The entire process shows us just how sinless and perfect a sacrifice was the Lamb of God (and the life God wants us to live through His power; Col. 1:27).

 

In Leviticus, Chapter 8, we learn about the consecration of the instruments to be used in the Sanctuary services.  It is interesting to note that the Brazen Altar (as well as all the instruments of the Sanctuary) had to be purified and sanctified before its intended use, in order “to make reconciliation upon it,” Leviticus 8:14-15, available.  Usually, sin (in this case; our lord having our sins placed upon Him), was to be placed upon the Brazen Alter, “to be sin for us, Who knew no sin,” Second Corinthians 5:21.  However, this particular offering discussed in Leviticus Chapter 8, did not transfer sin to the Brazen Altar, as was done thereafter, but was for the purpose of cleansing the Brazen Altarpreparatory to its intended future use.  Just as Christ needed to be baptized prior to His earthly service.  Again, how important is Baptism?

 

When a bullock was offered for the sins of all the people, not all parts of the bullock were to be burned upon the Brazen Altar.  According to Exodus 29:14:  “But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp:  it is a sin offering.”  See also Leviticus 4:12 & 21; 9:11 & 15; Hebrews 13:13.  Nothing filthy shall touch this Altar, lest the sin offering become defiled.

 

Just as Christ prepared Himself for “the baptism that” He was to be “baptized with,” Matthew 20:22 & 23, by praying and making supplication when His “hour” had “come,” John 17:1, just before His arrest.  “Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s:  for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.”  Hebrews 7:27.  Thus we begin to see clearly the three services of the Sanctuary (2 here).  They are:

 

A) The consecration service;

B) The bearing of sin;

C) and the cleansing thereof (comprised in the rest of the Sanctuary service; not here).

 

Therefore, the Brazen Altar speaks and is representative of “Justification.”  It must be remembered that “Justification” does not mean “made righteous,” but rather, “declared righteous” (see Rom. 4:24-25).  In the days of the Sanctuary the Israelites were restored to a right relationship with God by offering a blood atonement upon the Brazen Altar.  While today, as then, all are restored by appropriating our Father with the atoning Sacrifice of the blood of our Lord.  This is why we end our prayers with, “in Christ’s Name, Amen.”  John 14:13 & 14; 16:24 & 26; Colossians 3:17 [“by Him”].

 

Another thing to consider is that the Hebrew word that is translated as “burnt offering” literally means “ascending.”  Thus, the “burnt offering,” in an almost literal sense, ascended to God in the form of smoke as a pleasing aroma (Lev. 1:9); just as if it were incense itself.  Also, we must be informed that the Hebrew word for turning sacrifices into smoke on the Brzen Altar is related to the word for “incense.”  Therefore, as a “burnt offering” sent smoke ascending to God for His acceptance; similarly, Christ ascended to Heaven to receive acceptance of His sacrifice from His Father.

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