The Tabernacle – Part 6
The Bronze Altar
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
The House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
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SERMON TIMELINE
· The Book of Genesis
· The Exodus
· The Tabernacle
· Introduction
· The Ark of the Covenant
· The Table and the Lampstand
· The Tabernacle Construction
· Tabernacle Framework
· The Bronze Altar
INTRODUCTION
Up to this point we have examined the giving of the laws, the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, and the beginning construction of the Tabernacle, where God would dwell among His people.
Today we are going to look at the instructions for the Bronze Altar. But before we do, because we took a break from this series for the holidays, and I missed last week because of being ill, lets play a little catch up.
I will read today’s scripture, then look back for a review of where we were and then we will talk about where we are at.
This is important. As we have looked at the scriptures in Exodus, even going back to Genesis, it is plain to see that everything that takes place is being used by God for teaching, and a foreshadowing for what will come.
Why we need saving, who will save us, how they will save us, and what will take place after the last of us is saved.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.”
What is good and acceptable in the sight of our God and Savior? Verse 1.
1 Timothy 2:1 “First of all, then, I exhort that petitions and prayers, requests and thanksgivings, be made for all men,”
God desires that “all men be saved.”
And there will come a day when the last one who will be saved, is saved.
2 Peter 3:9-10 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be found out.”
When there is none left to save, the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Today we examine the Instructions for the Bronze Altar
SCRIPTURE READING
Exodus 27:1-8 (Legacy Standard Bible)
“And you shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five
cubits wide; the altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits.
“You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of the same
piece, and you shall overlay it with bronze. “You shall make its pots for
removing its ashes, and its shovels and its bowls and its flesh hooks and its
firepans; you shall make all its utensils of bronze. “You shall make for it a
grating, a network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings
at its four corners. “You shall put it beneath, under the ledge of the altar,
so that the net will reach halfway down the altar. “You shall make poles for
the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. “Its poles shall
be inserted into the rings, so that the poles shall be on the two sides of the
altar when it is carried. “You shall make it hollow with planks; as it was
shown to you in the mountain, so they shall make it.”
TODAY'S MESSAGE
I. UP TO THIS POINT
a. The Laws are Given
i. First were the Laws of God (10 Commands)
1. In Greek, Decalogue “10 words”
2. These set the bar of God and what is “perfect”
3. This establishes two facts
a. Only God is “perfect” therefore you need “saving”
b. Because He is “perfect” He alone dictates morality
ii. Second set of laws were social/moral
1. These tell us how to live fairly among others
2. If wrongs take place, how to “pay” to make right
3. If we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will not break social/moral laws
iii. Thirdly the ceremonial laws/instructions
1. This instructs on feasts and celebrations as well as “restrictions” which all teach of sin, and salvation
2. “Unclean” things were to teach that apart from God you are unclean
3. This fact remains today, you either belong to God or you do not
b. The Ark, Table & Lampstand
i. The Lord instructs on construction of the Ark of the Covenant
1. The Ark was covered with gold, inside and out
a. Gold representing the perfection and purity of God
2. Inside the Ark was placed
a. The 10 Commands (God’s perfection)
b. Manna (God’s provision/Bread from heaven = Jesus)
i. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
ii. John 6:22-59 “…it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world…”
c. Aaron’s Staff
i. Which symbolized the miracles of God on Earth as well as symbolizing God’s approval as High Priest (when it budded almonds)
ii. Also, Almonds symbolize divine favor and approval, and the purity.
iii. The candle holders on the golden lampstand (the menorah) were almond buds
ii. The Table for show bread
1. The bread and wine offering here represents the New Covenant which would be purchased in the substitutional sacrifice of Christ’s body (the bread) and spilling of His blood (the wine symbolizing death)
iii. The Lampstand
1. A future picture of the church built by Christ Jesus
2. How do we know?
a. We are told in Revelation
b. Revelation 1:4-6 “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from the One who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the might forever and ever. Amen.”
c. The Tabernacle Construction
i. Then comes the tabernacle construction
ii. We wont cover everything here, but know that everything inside the Holy of Holies is either solid or covered in gold – (perfection and God’s purity)
iii. Everything outside the Holy place is bronze
II. THE BRONZE ALTAR
a. Description
i. Made of acacia wood (shittah)
1. Like the Ark, tabernacle and table
2. It was abundant on the Sinai peninsula
ii. 7 ½ feet wide and 7 ½ feet long and 4 ½ feet tall
iii. Horns on the corners made in one piece
iv. Covered in bronze (not gold)
v. All the parts and utensils were covered or made from bronze as well.
vi. Four bronze rings on its corners
vii. Acacia
wood poles covered in bronze to carry the altar
b. Location
i. The bronze altar is located in the courtyard just outside the door to the Holy Place.
1. So the Tabernacle has the Holy of Holies
a. Where the Ark of the covenant is
b. The mercy seat on top where God shows Himself
c. And a veil for a door
2. Just outside the Holy of Holies is the Holy Place
a. Where the golden altar of incense is located
b. The Golden Lampstand (Menorah)
c. And the table of show-bread
d. With a door
3. Outside the Holy Place is the outer court
a. Where the Laver (ceremonial washing pot) is
b. The Bronze Altar we just read about
c. And the gate to the world
c. Instructions
i. So the instructions are given for the construction of the Bronze altar
III. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
a. What picture does the Tabernacle paint?
i. The world is outside the tabernacle
ii. To enter it must be through the gate, no other way in
iii. You are met with the bronze altar for a burnt sacrifice
iv. Then the Laver for a ceremonial washing before you can enter the Holy Place
v. You see the golden lampstand (representing the church) and the table of show-bread (Jesus, presented before God and the church as perfect without sin (leaven)
vi. A golden altar of incense representing the prayers carried up to God
vii. Beyond the veil…the Holy of Holies
viii. The Mercy Seat of God and where He shows Himself
b. There is but one path to God
i. The outside world MUST enter through the gate into the Tabernacle
1. Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
2. John 10:1-3 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. “But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
3. John 10:7 “So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.”
4. Jesus is the gate between the world and the Tabernacle
ii. Once inside the Tabernacle, you are in the “outer court”
1. The Lord has allowed you in (because He is the door)
2. You now have access to the Bronze Altar and the Laver of ceremonial washing
a. Will you accept the burnt offering and washing so that you may enter the Holy Place?
3. Some do not, and wander about in the Tabernacle outer court.
iii. Once you accept the burnt offering and ceremonial washing you may enter the Holy Place
1. The Holy Place is The Body of Christ!
2. This is the church
3. You see the golden lampstand (the churches)
4. Across from it you see the showbread (Jesus without sin (no leaven)
5. And the golden altar of incense…the prayers carried up to God
6. Then you see the veil separating you from the Holy of Holies
iv. What is this veil?
1. It is life
2. We will cross that veil when we die
3. We will be present in the Holy of Holies and stand before the Lord
4. Until then, we remain alive and in the Holy Place
5. The “Holy Place” is the Body of Christ
c. So what is the bronze altar?
i. It is the sacrifice of Christ which sits before the gate of the outer court
1. Bronze speaks of God’s righteous judgement that is perfectly just and tempered, wisely administered with precision and perfect timing to get the results he desires, motivated by love.
2. Burning – symbolizing judgment and purification
ii. In other words, God’s righteous judgment motivated by love on Jesus, through which we are purified so that we may enter the Holy Place
iii. We then wash ourselves in the Laver ceremonially.
1. This is symbolic of the washing or cleaning of the Holy Spirit
iv. These two actions allow us to enter the Holy Place, becoming members of the Body of Christ
CONCLUSION
The layout of the Tabernacle teaches us.
The Gate into the outer court through the door (Jesus) is THE WAY
Being in the Holy Place (the Body of Christ/Church) is THE TRUTH
Then standing before the mercy seat on judgment day is THE LIFE
Which is eternally in the presence of the Lord!
The Bronze Altar and Burnt Offering is a Picture of Judgment
Upon Jesus our Substitutional Sacrifice and the Purification of us
NEXT WEEK
The Court of the Tabernacle
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