The Altar of Burnt Offerings
"Thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood".

THE physical details of the Altar are provided in Exod. 27:1-8 and ch. 38:1-7. It was a shittim-wood, box-shaped structure measuring approximately 7 feet 6 inches long by 7 feet 6 inches high. The shittim wood planks were covered in brass. It was carried by staves also made of shittim wood, brass covered, which were attached by brass rings to the sides of the Altar.

Later, the censers of the two hundred and fifty rebels, associated with Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Num. 16:35-39), were added as a reminder to Israel of the destiny of flesh (return to the earth) which opposes Yahweh, and presumes to offer service which does not conform to the Divine pattern.

The Altar had four horns, each located in a corner; they were made of shittim wood overlaid with brass, and were one with the altar (Exod. 27:2). The sacrifices were bound to these horns (Ps. 11 8:27), this being the means of connecting the sacrifice with the Altar.

Here they partook of the offerings (Lev. 10:12) which they had accepted from the offerer on behalf of Yahweh, to slay, examine, prepare and offer it to Him so that He could partake of that which His people had presented to Him as their representative sacrifice (Lev. 1; 3:2,8,12 etc.).

By means of fire Yahweh partook of these sacrifices (Lev. 9:24), a fire which the priests had to keep burning day and night (Lev. 6:13).

The location of the Altar in the Outer Court marked the importance of sacrifice, for it was the first object encountered upon entry. The willingness or otherwise to sacrifice is the testing point, both then and now, of the attitude of mind displayed by the offerer.

After the Lord had publicly declared his acceptance of Yahweh's principle of self-sacrifice in baptism (Matt. 3:13-15), he was led into the Wilderness for a period of trial. He successfully faced up to the challenge imposed upon him, so demonstrating under test evidences of his mental attitude towards his Father's Word and Will. He overcame every temptation imposed on him, rendering perfect obedience to every requirement (Matt. 4:1-10; Luke 4:1-13), and became the

anti-typical alter upon which lesser offerings can be presented to the Father.

The materials from which the Altar was constructed, therefore, pointed forward to the Lord. Especially selected Shittim wood (human nature Heb. 2:14-17), overlaid with brass that had been subjected to the afflictions of fiery trials (Isa. 53:3-8), resulted in a sacrifice and service that was acceptable to Yahweh. Therefore, he became the meeting place, propitiation (Rom. 3:25), between the repentant offerer and God in a "ministry of reconciliation" (cp. Rom. 5:10-11).

The sacrifice which the Lord presented upon the altar of entire dedication and complete obedience, was wholly consumed by the fire of God. It changed him from mortal nature to Divine; from the frailty of flesh to the strength of immortality.

It is of prime importance for us to appreciate that our calling into the body of Christ for the purpose of becoming Yahweh's dwelling place, involves sacrifice -

• The Sacrifice of self-will in order to submit to Yahweh's will.
• The Sacrifice required in separating from what might be held dear, in order to give oneself wholly to Yahweh's purpose.
• The Sacrifice demanding dedication in order to adopt principles and laws required of God, but which are opposed to natural inclinations.
• The Sacrifice necessary for the purpose of sanctification so as to live a new life in Christ, having "died" to the old life.

Baptism is the symbol of this sacrifice (Rom. 6:1-6). It calls for a figurative death of the "body of sin", so that there is no longer servitude to sin, but a new life not dominated by fleshly desires, but "alive unto God" (vv. 11-14), having become His purchased possession. It is upon this basis that His work of our reconciliation through Christ is accomplished (2 Cor. 5:17-19).

By this means we are bound to the Christ-altar and have fellowship with the sufferings of him who was sacrificed for us (Phil. 3:8-10; 1 Pet. 32 4:13; 1 Cor. 5:7). Like the priests, we partake of the sacrifice. We do this each week in a symbolic way in partaking of Christ (1 Cor. 10:18), in "eating" of his body and "drinking" of his blood, through the bread and wine. This represents the assimilation of his teaching (the bread), and the manifestation of his life (the wine) and service. This service of dedication is a constant one, and by it Yahweh partakes of our sacrifice (Psa. 119:44,117).

Having been reconciled to God (Rom. 5:10), we "extend" that ministry (2 Cor. 5:18-20) by becoming instruments in God's hands for bringing others also into contact with the Christ-altar.

The Altar was a symbol to Israel of the presence of Yahweh; it was His "table" from which He partook of His "food" (Lev. 3:11; 21:6,17), as His fire utterly consumed the animal representative of flesh that was put to death and offered on the Altar.

Habakkuk in ch. 3:3-6 presents a prophecy concerning Yahweh's manifestation through Christ and His saints for the purpose of judgment upon rebellious nations. Their activity is couched in the terms of sacrificial as well as judicial judgment. They will become the multitudinous Christ-altar through whom humanity's offerings will be made unto Yahweh.