Moses

March 7

Exodus 27:1-8, 38:1

The altar

The Lord told Moses about all the other things that were to be inside the Holy Tent and in the courtyard that surrounded it.

God said, “Make a square altar out of acacia wood and put rings on the sides for the poles that will be used to carry it. You must also make shovels, bowls, hooks, and pans out of bronze.”

Moses did what the Lord told him to do and had the altar made exactly as the Lord had said.

Do we still have altars today?

An altar was used for all the offerings made to the Lord (see Leviticus 1–5). It was made of wood or large stones, and a fire would be built on top of it. Although there were different kinds of offerings, it was the only place where people could offer an animal to God for their sin. The animal would be killed and laid on the altar as a sign that sin had been paid for by death and blood. This pointed to Jesus, who would come to earth to lay down His life once and for all, and die for every sin in the world.

Because the blood of Jesus Christ washes every sin from our hearts (1 John 1:7), we no longer need to sacrifice animals for forgiveness or use an altar (see Hebrews 10:1–7).

Once we are forgiven, the good we do and the good words we say become our sacrifice—a sacrifice of praise that God accepts because Jesus has made us pure (Hebrews 13:15–16).

Verse for today

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16