Sharper Iron & The Saga of Salvation: The Beautiful Altar of Sacrifice

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Rev. Adam Koontz, assistant professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Exodus 27:1-8 and Exodus 38:1-7.

Though the bronze altar of the tabernacle was not the first altar used by God’s people, it is the one given by the LORD as a part of the place He meets His people for the purpose of showing them mercy. The LORD is not like the pagan gods whose worshipers thought they needed to feed these idols with their sacrifices. Rather, the sacrifices commanded by the LORD at this altar were a part of His way of drawing near to His people for their salvation. The bronze used for this altar in the courtyard stood in contrast to the gold found in the furniture within the tabernacle, a reminder of the distance from the LORD’s presence that He desired to bridge. Even with this less valuable material, the altar’s careful construction and the LORD’s gift of a place where He would provide the life of another in place of the life of the sinner make this altar a truly beautiful item. The blood that was poured out in the sacrifices at the bronze altar pointed forward to the greater reality and fulfillment in Christ who sacrificed Himself on the cross. His was a sacrifice made without any perversion. His was a sacrifice made with no need for repetition. His was a sacrifice made once for all people. No longer are we pointed toward a tent or a building for the sacrifice for our sins.. Now Jesus points us to Himself as the true Temple and sacrifice that brings us forgiveness and righteousness: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

“The Saga of Salvation” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that takes a step-by-step walk through the book of Exodus. This premier account of salvation in the Old Testament proclaims that the LORD is the one true God, the Creator and Redeemer, who alone is worthy of our worship and faith, all the while pointing us forward to the ultimate deliverance He gives through the exodus accomplished by Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Exodus 27:1-8

The Bronze Altar

27 “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits[a] long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. 2 And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. 3 You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. 4 You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. 5 And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar.6 And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7 And the poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried.8 You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made.

Footnotes:

Exodus 27:1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

Exodus 38:1-7

Making the Altar of Burnt Offering

38 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. Five cubits[a] was its length, and five cubits its breadth. It was square, and three cubits was its height. 2 He made horns for it on its four corners. Its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze. 3 And he made all the utensils of the altar, the pots, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the fire pans. He made all its utensils of bronze. 4 And he made for the altar a grating, a network of bronze, under its ledge, extending halfway down.5 He cast four rings on the four corners of the bronze grating as holders for the poles. 6 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. 7 And he put the poles through the rings on the sides of the altar to carry it with them. He made it hollow, with boards.

Footnotes:

Exodus 38:1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters