Daily Devotions
Exodus
"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory; Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth." Psalm 115:1
Text: Exodus 27 : 1-5
A BEAUTIFUL ALTAR FOR BURNT OFFERINGS
Tabernacle worship would include the setting up of an altar for burnt offerings! This was to be carefully constructed according to God’s specification!
“You shall make an altar of acacia wood,
five cubits long and five cubits square –
and its height shall be three cubits.
You shall make its horns on its four corners;
its horns shall be of one piece with it.
And you shall overlay it with bronze.”
EXODUS 27:1-2
1. The theme of “Oneness”
The idea of a square may well express the theme of oneness (Cf. Exodus 25:19; 26:6, 11).
2. The symbol of “horns”
Horns traditionally represented “strength” or “power”. The horns would not represent man’s power in worship though! Man would remember whenever he offered worship that he came to a great God of power and strength!
3. “And you shall overlay it with bronze”
Understandably, gold could not be used. This soft metal would not be able to withstand the heat of burnt offerings! Bronze would be the better choice!
OTHER RELATED UTENSILS
Naturally, this Altar had to be carefully constructed, and special provisions had to be made. God provided a perfect design for the altar.
“Also you shall make its pans to receive its ashes, and its shovels
and its basins and its forks and its firepans; you shall make all
its utensils of bronze. You shall make a grate for it, a network
of bronze; and on the network you shall make four bronze rings
at its four corners. You shall put it under the rim of the altar
beneath, that the network may be midway up the altar.”
EXODUS 27:3-5
1. The collection of the ashes
Worship does not end with the sacrifice of animals. There would be ashes that must be neatly disposed of! God made provision for that as well.
2. Attention to the smallest detail
God made sure that every detail was looked into most carefully. Worship was no easy task! Attention must be given to the minutest detail!