Scripture to Read: Exodus 20:25–26
We end today looking a little deeper at the altar God told the Israelites to build where they would perform their sacrifices to God. God said in Exodus 20:25–26, “If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. 26 And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.” God had said His altar would be made of dirt but if they chose to use cut stones, it was not to be sculpted by their craftsmen. God never has and God never will share His glory with anyone or anything. Therefore, if a sculpture made the altar too beautiful, people might give glory to the sculpture thereby robbing God of what was due to Him and Him alone. God also ensured that the altar was not elevated where the priest might have some part of his flesh exposed when walking up to the altar. Later on, we see in God’s Word that some altars were built with steps, as in Ezekiel 43:13–17. But the priests were also given specific instructions to wear linen undershorts in Ezekiel 44:17–18. The reason the instructions were so specific was that sacrifices were a holy offering to God as He received all of the sacrifices as payment for the sins of the people. It was not something anyone would take lightly, for no one wanted to dishonor God and His commands, for that would mean death for them.
Challenge & Application
· How seriously do people take what they offer to God as their tithe and offering? If they don’t take it seriously, why don’t they?
· Take some time to thank the Lord for His sacrifice for us so we no longer have to offer blood sacrifices of animals.
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!