The Altar in the wilderness

Building altars on the way through this wilderness journey could not be more essential. The Lord has given Moses the commandments of how to love and honor God and how to love and honor our neighbors. He will now give instructions on how to accomplish this, and it begins by building altars. Altars in the wilderness. Altars along the way. Altars on the journey to the promised land.

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20:22‭-‬26‬ ‭ESV‬‬ [22] And the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven. [23] You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold. [24] An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. [25] If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it. [26] And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’

Altars are to be erected with common earthly material. You may recall that later the tabernacle will be built and a brazen altar made. But, before the tabernacle and before the temple, altars were made of simple earthly material. Also, altars began long before these instructions were given to Moses. In fact, Noah built an altar upon leaving the ark. He had with him “clean” animals for the purpose of making sacrifices. The alter system was in place even before the flood. Even God himself sacrificed an animal to provide a cover of Adam and Eve’s nakedness. Blood was shed to cover their sin. And now Moses is given instructions for the people to follow as they too offer sacrifices.

These temporary altars could be erected quickly and often on the journey. No special materials. No tools needed. No beautiful carvings. Even as the tabernacle and temple systems ceased the earthly altar continued. And now in the present Jesus himself has became our altar!

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:10‭-‬16‬ ‭ESV‬‬ [10] We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. [11] For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. [12] So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. [13] Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. [14] For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. [15] Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. [16] Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Understanding these things how does that effect us now? How can we apply this to our daily lives? First, we understand the need of altars. The fact we can build them at anytime, anywhere. Our altars are not physical, they are spiritual. We offer ourselves in prayer as a living sacrifice continually. We pray to our altar, Jesus, without ceasing. Instantly, fervently, boldly. We become a whole burnt offering. A sweet aroma to God. We become a peace offering by giving to others and recieving from God our needs. He knows what we need even before we ask or think it. Our Altar is Christ. Our Altar put on earthly flesh and gave himself as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system. He accomplished what no one or anything could. He is seated at the right hand of God ever living to make intercession for us. Second, God meets us at the Alter. We enter his presence with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Hallowed is his name. We seek his kingdom purposes there. Altars in our Iives hold precious memories of when God met us in prayer. When he does the talking and we have spiritual ears to hear him. When we hear his small still voice. Third, we do not profane the Alter. We seek him with sincerity. We offer holy acceptable offerings which is our spiritual worship. Our reasonable service. We don’t bring an attitude of pride and arrogance. We bring a broken and contrite spirit. We don’t profane the Altar by going up flippantly or carelessly. We go into His presence seeking mercy and grace to help us in time of need.

Yes, the instructions given to Israel in the wilderness are applicable to us as a picture of how we approach God. The Alter in the wilderness is what we need! Jesus, our Alter, is available this moment and ready to receive our sacrifice. Even in this wilderness we call life. Are we willing to offer it?