THE ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING

Text: Exodus 27:1-21

The altar of burnt offering depicts the high place of worship and point of consecration. From the explicit details given, it is clear that God has a pattern that must be followed. Moses was to ensure he did everything according to the model shown to him on the mountain. Point is, we cannot do God's work haphazardly. His laid down precepts and guidelines must be followed. 

The altar of burnt sacrifice is magnificent and huge. Measuring  Approximately 5ft in height and 8ft in length. This majestic table is overlaid in bronze and elevated that everyone could see it and participate in the worship. Sacrifices are to be burnt on it continually, day, night and at all appointed times. Note, these are sacrifices of blood foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 

It is imperative to note that the Jews kept at burning the sacrifices at the altar but could not identify Jesus, the ultimate lamb of sacrifice when he appeared on the scene. Likewise, we must take care to avoid empty rituals of church going, offerings, donations etc just to fulfill all righteousness without laying hold on the most important thing: laying ourselves on that same altar as living sacrifices wholly dedicated to God in righteousness and holiness. (Romans 8:1-2)

Furthermore, the lord instructs this:

Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come.

Exodus 27:20‭-‬21 NIV

Being a permanent law for the Israelites, all hands must be on deck to ensure its observance. Aaron and his sons would take the responsibility to watch the lamp burn even through the night, while the people would bring the pure pressed olive oil. The dim light of spiritual coldness on the altars of our churches today is not only the fault of the officiating ministers who have not lived up to the expectation, but also the press for pure oil; personal devotion and consecration of individuals in the church is poor.  The noise may be loud, but without the light of personal consecration on the lampstands, we are a shadow of the reality God intended. 

Jesus shows us a greater significance of this light when he says in Matthew 5, "you are the light of the world". The burning candle or lights in our texts refer to our consecration to God and holy living  When we have laid our all (including ourselves _spirit, soul and body) on the altar to accept Jesus as saviour, Lord and master, then we must let our lights shine so brightly before men by the way we live our daily lives, that they may glorify our father in heaven. Moreover, we must keep in mind that our lights must never dim or shine just for a season. It must burn brightly and continually forever before the lord for all generations to come. 

Thank you holy father for harmonizing the old order in the new. Grant us greater insight to this teaching that we may know what it truly means to live a sacrificed life to you. Amen 🙏