Teachings

The brass altar stood in the outer court, just inside the gate. It was the first thing a man met when he came to God. It was foursquare, of desert wood overlaid with brass, with a grate halfway up, so the sacrifice was not only upon the altar but in it (Exodus 27:1–8). The wood speaks of Christ in His humanity. The brass speaks of judgment. When God looks at the sacrifice, He sees us in Christ.

Without a lamb, no sinner could draw near that altar. Without Christ as our Substitute, we cannot come into the presence of God. The blood was sprinkled about the altar. The way in was through the blood. The altar is Calvary. A man comes to the heart of God when he comes to the cross.

There was a daily sacrifice, and the fire was never to go out. We are not asked to harm our bodies. We are asked to present them a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God (Romans 12:1). Set apart a time every day before Him. Do not live on an old consecration. The ashes had to be carried out. Confess your sins at the altar, and do it again. Murmuring will quench the Spirit. The fire was to be kept burning (Leviticus 6:13). Quench not the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

No blemished offering was received. Ill will and self-interest will not do in our prayers, our ministry, or ourselves. When His presence comes down on what we have brought Him, that is His acceptance. The altar was foursquare. Calvary is the fullness of the love of God, and His full surrender for us calls for our full surrender to Him. Otherwise, where is His Lordship?

The altar was covered and borne on the shoulders of the priests. Take up the cross and follow Him (Mark 10:21). We do not broadcast our cross. We carry it unto the Lord, so that His glory alone is seen. This is God’s order for individual discipline. Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Him, cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:27).