Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.” – Exodus 24:1-2
Purpose of the Altar
When we think about the altar of God, we can recognize it as a sacred space designated for worship and connection with the Divine. The altar serves multiple purposes; it’s a physical representation of our dedication to God, a place where we present our sacrifices, express our gratitude, and seek atonement. In the Bible, we are reminded that the altar is a significant aspect of our relationship with God. It draws us closer to Him, a space where our hearts can be open in prayer and worship. It symbolizes turning our lives to Him, surrendering our will, and seeking His guidance in our daily living. We are encouraged to approach the altar with humility and faith, understanding that it is the place where heaven meets earth.
Exodus 20:24
“Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.” – Exodus 20:24
Genesis 8:20
“Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of all the clean animals and clean birds, and offered burnt offerings on it.” – Genesis 8:20
Leviticus 6:13
“The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.” – Leviticus 6:13
1 Kings 18:30
“Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down.” – 1 Kings 18:30
Psalms 43:4
“Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” – Psalms 43:4
Altar as a Place of Sacrifice
We often think about the altar as a place where we bring our sacrifices to God. In biblical times, this involved burning offerings as acts of worship and devotion. This deep symbolism teaches us that, in our own lives, sacrifice isn’t always about physical offerings. It’s about giving of ourselves, our time, our talents, and even our desires in order to draw closer to God. The altar becomes a metaphor for surrendering what we cling to and trusting God with every part of our lives. When we place our burdens on the altar, we can find peace and reassurance. It’s a transforming act that positions us to receive God’s love and grace.
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Hebrews 13:15
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” – Hebrews 13:15
Psalms 51:17
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” – Psalms 51:17
Exodus 29:18
“Burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.” – Exodus 29:18
Leviticus 1:9
“You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.” – Leviticus 1:9
Altar as a Place of Prayer
The altar is not just about sacrifices; it’s also a sacred place of prayer. When we approach the altar, we engage in a conversation with our Creator. It represents our intentions to seek God’s wisdom and guidance in our lives. Speaking to the Lord at the altar can calm our minds and stir our hearts towards gratitude and worship. We open ourselves to receiving His presence and guidance. Whenever we find ourselves at the altar, whether in a physical church, at home, or in our hearts, we can bring our worries and desires to God. By doing so, we reaffirm our trust in His plan for us.
Psalms 5:3
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” – Psalms 5:3
Matthew 21:13
“It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” – Matthew 21:13
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
1 Timothy 2:8
“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” – 1 Timothy 2:8
Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42
Altar as a Place of Instruction
In our spiritual walk, the altar acts as a beacon for instruction and learning. It’s here that we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, and we grow in understanding through His teachings. The altar isn’t just a one-way street; as we present our sacrifices and prayers, we also open our hearts to God’s guidance and wisdom. Gathering around the altar provides us with the opportunity to receive instructions that mold our character and direct our paths. Spiritual growth often comes from embracing what we learn at the altar and allowing it to guide our decisions. Knowledge gained from God at the altar helps us navigate our lives.
2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16
Proverbs 1:5
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” – Proverbs 1:5
Proverbs 4:7
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7
John 16:13
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” – John 16:13
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” – Colossians 3:16
Altar as a Place of Thanksgiving
We also recognize the altar as a central place for expressing our thanksgiving to God. Throughout the Scriptures, we see examples of individuals who sacrificed at the altar not just for forgiveness but to express gratitude for God’s blessings. Thankfulness is a vital part of our faith. It shapes how we view our lives and encourages us to acknowledge God’s goodness. Bringing our offerings of gratitude before the altar reaffirms our trust in Him and strengthens our relationships with others as we share our blessings with them. With gratitude in our hearts, the altar transforms into a joyful place where we celebrate God’s faithfulness.
Psalms 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” – Psalms 100:4
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
Colossians 4:2
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2
Psalms 147:7
“Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.” – Psalms 147:7
1 Chronicles 16:34
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – 1 Chronicles 16:34
Altar as a Place of Commitment
The altar symbolizes a sacred commitment we make to God. When we approach the altar, we often make vows and pledges to walk in faithfulness to God. This commitment serves as a public declaration of our desire to prioritize our relationship with Him and to live according to His will. We recognize the altar as a place where intentions are made concrete, where we desire to grow closer to God, and when we seek to be faithful in our daily lives. It reminds us that God is always faithful, and through the altar, we can renew our vows and commitments to Him.
Joshua 24:25
“On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them the decrees and laws.” – Joshua 24:25
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Matthew 5:37
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37
Mark 12:30
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” – Mark 12:30
Psalm 126:5
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” – Psalm 126:5
Final Thoughts
As we contemplate the altar of God, let us remember its significance in our spiritual lives. The altar is not merely a physical structure but a sacred space where we encounter God in prayer, sacrifice, and thanksgiving. We can draw closer to God by recognizing its purpose in guiding us, instructing us, and inviting us to commit our lives to Him. Whether we present our concerns, express gratitude, or renew our promises, we are embraced by the love and grace that flow from God’s presence at the altar.
It’s important to engage deeply in our faith and recognize the many ways God speaks to us. We can explore related topics like the Lord’s Supper or take a look into how we can keep our church clean. Each exploration serves to strengthen our relationship with God and with each other.
May we use the altar to transform our lives, connect with God, and share that love with those around us. In doing so, we contribute to the spiritual tapestry of our community and the joy that comes from a life led by faith.