The Tabernacle - The Brazen Altar

The Brazen Altar – Exodus 27:1-8

The first thing you see when you come thru the gate is the Brazen Altar. And you are not getting any further until you deal with this Altar of sacrifice. The Altar was for sacrifice, without which is no atonement for sin.

Lev 17:11 For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul.

On this altar we see how God has found a way to justly forgive sins. It is at this altar that the innocent paid the debt of the guilty. This altar was a picture of what Christ did on the cross. 1Pe 3:18, Joh 5:24

It was the l_____________ piece of furniture in the Tabernacle.

It was always open to guilty Israelites so they could atone for sin. It never shut down.

The Altar was made of Shittim w_________ overlaid with Brass

Shittim wood pictures the h_______________ of Christ. Isa. 53:2

The altar had 5 utensils

There were P__________ to receive the ashes and Shovels to pick up ashes. The ashes speak of the finished work of Christ. Joh 19:30

After the sacrifice was finished, they used the pans and shovels to remove the ashes from the place of sacrifice and take them outside the camp and put them in a c_________ place. John 19:38-42

He was taken from the place of sacrifice with great care. Jesus was taken to a clean place. He was not placed in a sepulcher that had the stench of rot and decay. He was put into a clean new tomb. And how they handled the ashes in the tabernacle was just a picture of how Jesus’ body would be handled after His sacrifice was finished.

Basin to gather blood - The blood of the sacrifice was poured out at the base of the altar. Exodus 29:12. Christ poured out His blood at the base of the cross.

Flesh hooks to arrange sacrifices. They would take the flesh hooks and drive them into the sacrifice to place it on the altar. This pictured the cruel hands of men who nailed Christ to the cross. John 20:25

Fire pans to move fire - Sometimes also called censers.

They were used to carry the fire from the brazen altar to the altar of incense. The altar of incense represents prayer. Fire must be used to burn the incense to get it to rise toward heaven. But not any fire could be used. Only the fire from the altar could be used. This teaches us that the ability to pray is only because of the altar of sacrifice. We only have the ability to pray because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Prayer must be based on the fire of the altar.

This fire originated from Heaven – Lev 9:24

It was always ready to receive the sacrificial offering of the people to cleanse them from sin. Lev. 6:12-13

Today God is continually ready to receive people that accept the sacrifice of Jesus and cleanse them from sin. He is just as ready today as He was back then. He is just as ready today as He was 50 years ago.

The Brazen Altar had 4 Horns on it.

The Horn symbolizes – p____________ and strength Dan 8:21-24, 1 Sam. 2:10, 2 Sam. 22:3

There was a Horn on each corner of the Altar. All directions. He has the power to save the whole world. 1 John 2:2, Luke 24:46-47

He has the power to save and that power is sent forth in all directions to all nations. That is what the horns speak of.

The altar was an elevated altar

Lev 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.

Christ was lifted up. John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Identification with the substitute had to take place.

The worshipper brought an animal to the priest and then laid his hands upon the head of the animal. This identified him with it in its death for his sins. Lev. 1:2-5

So what we have at the Brazen Altar an innocent lamb that bore the judgment of the guilty.

Today Christ is our lamb. John 1:29, Rev. 13:8

Jesus bore the judgment of God’s wrath. Isa. 53:4-6, Rom. 4:25, Eph. 5:2

For the sacrifice to be effective for the worshipper, he had to identify with the one sacrificed. He first had to place his hands on the head of the animal thus admitting his guilt and his need of a substitute.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

It was at the altar that justification happened. It is the altar of sacrifice where you are declared righteous and put into a right relationship with God. Justification is not obtained by works but is bestowed freely. But there must be a realization of your sin to get saved.

It was the first piece of furniture. They had to come here first. Access and fellowship with God can come only through the sacrificial death of Christ. 1 Tim. 2:5-6

Approaching without offering meant certain death for them. It is the same for us today. 1 John 5:12

When they moved the Brazen Altar they covered it with purple and then with badger skins. Num 4:13-14. Purple = king. Badger skins despised and rejected

That is how the world saw the cross. Jesus crucified as king of the Jews and they despised Him and rejected Him. But one day He will be seen by the world without the badger skins. Rev. 1:7, Mat. 26:64, Luke 13:35