Exodus

The Altar of Burnt Offering

Exodus 27:1-8

A cubit is the length from the elbow to the fingertips – standard thought is 18".  The altar would b 4.5' high and 7.5' square.  Made of acacia wood with horns at the corners.  The horns were part of the altar and typical design of nearly any altar at that time.  Blood was sprinkled on the horns during some rituals.  At other times the horns were used to hold incense bowls or small offering bowls.  At times, the ropes binding a sacrifice might be tied to the horns of the altar. Grabbing the horns of the altar was an act of begging mercy from God or of claiming political sanctuary.  The entire altar was overlaid in bronze, a metal associated with judgment.  Bronze was born in the fire and would stand up to the heat of the altar. 

The grate of the altar was halfway down into the opening.  The fire would presumably be on the ground, encapsulated within the altar frame.  The grate would be dropped into the frame.  Poles were made, overlaid and inserted into rings on the side to carry the altar. 

All this was to be carefully made to pattern shown to Moses on the mountain.

Exodus 29:9-19

The courtyard to the tabernacle was 150' x 75'.  This was the perimeter of the holy place.  Anyone approaching the holy place passed through the courtyard, by the altar, by the brass sea.  The courtyard was enclosed with curtains strung on posts spaced 7.5' apart supported with bronze bases.  There would be silver hooks and bands on the post.  On the east side was a 30' entrance that would have its own curtain. 

Exodus 27:20-21

Olives were to be pressed and the oil filtered to provide clear oil for the lamps.  The term 'tent of meeting' refers to the inner structure housing the Ark.  The light was to be kept burning throughout the night in the holy place.  The sons of Aaron were responsible to provide oil and keep it burning before the Lord.  There was no expiration on this (eternal light).

Exodus 28:1-5

The Tabernacle was a place set apart for worship.  The Lord needed leaders and workers to minister and keep the tabernacle functioning.  The Lord called Aaron and his sons to be priests.  What an honor it must have been to be called by God to serve in this tabernacle.  Yet, we'll see Nadab and Abihu didn't take the honor to heart.  They became irreverent in their actions.  Eleazar ends up becoming the high priest, leading in the spiritual things.  Ithamar was in charge of the more physical things like setting up the tabernacle.

The priestly garments were not made to modest garments.  They were to catch the eye, they were to be grand and reflect God's glory to the people.  These garments were only for priestly duties.  This was to give them dignity and honor, as if the beautiful garments covered the dirty sin of the men.  The workers were 'skilled of heart', gifted by God to create these things.  Aaron would become the first high priest, consecrated, set apart for holy service.  The breast piece was separate from the Ephod, although sometimes they are spoken of as if they were one piece.  The ephod is an upper body tunic while the breast piece is fitted with the stone representing the tribes and is worn over the ephod.  They used the same materials to make these as they used for making the tabernacle.

Exodus 28:6-14

The Ephod was made of the same materials as the tabernacle curtains.  It was a type of tunic with should pieces attached and an ornate waste band.  Attached to the shoulder pieces were two onyx stones.  The Hebrew word is for a gemstone, onyx being one of the likely choices, along with lapis lazuli.  Engraved on the stones was to be the name of the sons of Israel, in order of birth.  When the priest went into the temple, he bore the 12 sons on his shoulders.  This was to be a memorial, a way to remember, they were ministering for all the tribes.  They represented all the sons before God. 

Exodus 28:15-30

The breastplate had 12 stones in it that represented the tribes.  Its sole purpose though was to discern God's decisions.  This breastplate was about 9" square, doubled to form a type of pocket.  The names for the stones are not exactly known.  They are very close to the those of Eden.  There is no clear indication of what the Urim and Thummim were.  The Hebrew word means dazzling light, leading to speculation that a supernatural light within one or the other gave indication of God's answer.  This is not known exactly and they are not described in the bible.  However, we know they were used to determine the will of God and were part of the official dress and regalia of the priest.  Whatever it was, seemed to be different or at least looked at more reliably than just casting of lots. 

Exodus 28:31-35

The main part of the garment of the Ephod was a blue robe.  Around the hem were alternating pomegranates and bells.  Pomegranates are a symbol of God's abundance and provision.  There were pomegranates in the Promised Land.  The bells would be heard when entering and leaving.  The presence of the high priest would be announced.  Anyone coming in any other way would die; they would be dressed improperly, enter without authorization or preparation.  The bells on the priest's garment indicated that he was still alive and ministering to the Lord when he was by himself in t he Holy or Holies. 

Exodus 28:36-38

The plate is engraved like a seal and then put on the forehead of the high priest.  He was marked as belonging to the Lord.  This is fascinating in light of Revelation speaking of the marking the 144,000 on the forehead.  Others would receive another mark on their forehead, the mark of the beast.  The high priest had the responsibility for the sacred gifts offered.  They were to be used for no other purpose.  It was his responsibility.  These gifts may be the offerings given for the building of the tabernacle.  All the service and function of the tabernacle was to be maintained and guarded for the Lord, by the high priest.

Exodus 28:39-41

The other priests were no dressed quite as ornately but still to show dignity and honor.  The anointing marked a person as set apart for sacred service.  The anointing oil was only to be used for that one purpose.  One anointed, they were to be consecrated.  It means to install them, or literally to fill their hands.  This seems to have a dual meaning of putting them to work, but also filling their hand with the sacrifice.  The next phase was sanctification where they made atonement for their sins. 

Exodus 28:42-43

The undergarments were for covering 'the body'.  This means 'naked flesh' and is a euphemism for private parts.  They did lots of physical activity and robe might not always keep them covered.  The stakes seemed to be high.  To expose themselves while ministering appears to bring guilt leading to death. 

Exodus 29:1-2

The consecration of Aaron and his sons involved the anointing and the ordination process.  To 'consecrate' is the word 'qadash' which means to 'be holy' or 'make holy'.  These men had to be consecrated in order to serve the Lord.  This started with a young bull and two rams.  The animals were to be domesticated animals were sufficient because it was to be costly for the worshiper.  Lev 8 tells us that a bull was a purification offering while a ram was a burnt offering.  The second ram was an ordination offering.  All animals to be sacrificed were to be without defect, whole and without blemish.

Bread was made with the finest wheat.  They were to make:

• Round loaves without yeast
• Thick loaves without yeast, with olive oil
• Thin loaves without yeast, with olive brushed on them.

These loaves were all without yeast, which was like a reminder of Egypt, it's sin and bondage.  That was left behind.  Leaven became a picture of sin working its way through all the people, puffing them up and corrupting them.   These are grain offerings associated with the presentation of the first fruits of the crop.

Exodus 29:3-9

The 3 animals with a backet full of the bread was presented to the tent of meeting.  This was to bring the sacrifices near the altar.  Aaron was them brought to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and prepared to be formally presented for service.  Once the tabernacle was built, the Tent of Meeting was the interior tent of the tabernacle assembly.  This is the tent housing the holy place and the holy of holies.

After they were washed and dressed, they would be anointed with anointing oil.  The specifics of this are described later in the chapter.  Then they would be ready for ordination, meaning 'to fill the hand'. 

Exodus 29:10-14

The bull was brought before the Lord.  Aaron and his sons were lay their hands on the head of the animal.  This was acknowledging a connection to the animal.  It was standing in their place, taking their place.  The innocent blood of the animal would atone for their sin.  The animal was slaughtered their in the courtyard; blood was put on the horns of the altar, purification of it.  The rest was poured out at the base of the altar.  Portions were then burned on the alter as a sin offering. 

Exodus 29:15-18

The next part of the process involved 2 rams.  The first ram was brought into the Lord's presence.  Again, they acknowledged association with it by laying hands on it.  Then it was slaughtered.  Blood was splashed on the altar, the animal prepared and the entire thing burned on the altar as a burnt offering.  Burnt offerings are presented as bringing a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

Exodus 29:19-28

The second ram is the ordination ram.  They were to again acknowledge association with it by laying hands on it.  Then it was slaughtered.  Some of the blood was then put on:

• The right ear lobe – that they may have an ear to hear the Word of the Lord.
• The thumb of right hand – the work of their hand would be for the Lord.
• The big toe of the right hand – their walk would be on the path set by the Lord.

In addition, some blood was sprinkled on their garments.  They were then declared consecrated. 

From this second ram, they would make a wave offering.   This offering was parts of the ram, the right thigh and grain offerings, presented as bread.  The priest waved this before the Lord and then it was placed on the altar and burned up with the burnt offering.   The wave of the offering was a kind of transfer of ownership. 

The breast of the lamb, was waved, passing ownership to the priest.  It was their share. 

Exodus 29:29-30

Aaron's garments were to be passed from generation to generation, keeping the heritage of a priestly line intact.  The ordination process was 7 days and they were to wear them also for 7 days. 

Exodus 29:31-34

The ordination lamb was to be eaten, with the bread, at the entrance of the tabernacle.  It is specifically noted, "They are to eat these offerings by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration."  This was to be nourished by the offering, making it a part of them. Taking it into their life and it becoming part of them.  This meal was sacred and only for them, no one else could partake of it. 

Is this not a similar idea of what we do when we take the Lord's supper, or some call it communion.  We do it in remembrance of Him, of his sacrifice on our behalf.  We the bread, representing Hid body and the cup, representing His blood and we take them into us, make them part of us, as we remember. 

There were no leftovers to this meal.  Anything left was put on the altar and burned up.

Exodus 29:35-37

The ordination process was 7 days long.  Each day a bull was offered.  Part of the process was the ritual cleansing of the altar for 7 days.  It was 'most holy'.  Whatever the altar touched would be holy.  This is counter to normal thought process.  Normally, that which was holy became profane or unclean when contacting something unholy.  The altar became the place of transformation – it is hear the unclean could become clean. 

Exodus 29:38-43

Someone is sinning every day!  This is the underlying message behind sacrificing 2 sheep every day, forever. It was a constant reminder of sin and would bring a longing for the messiah and an end to sin.  Jesus, the Lamb of God, paid the one time sacrifice and perfectly fulfilled the law, bringing an end to the need for sacrifice.  But, until Jesus came, this would go on.  One lamb in the morning and one in the evening with accompanying food offering.  These sacrifices were precursor to it being the meeting place where God would speak to them. 

Exodus 29:44-46

The tent, altar and priests were consecrated by God, for service to Him.  The Lord would then dwell among them.  They would come to know His presence and that He brought them out of Egypt to be His people and fellowship with them. 

© 2021 Doug Ford