Jewish Customs and Traditions.
By F. C. Gilbert
The Sanctuary and Its Services.—Continued.
The Altar of Burnt Offering.
Having now taken a general survey of the exterior of the tabernacle, let us turn our eyes inwardly, and see what we can there behold. We shall find that the Lord has precious truths for us within the tabernacle, as he had without; for “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,” especially for those “upon whom the ends of the world are come.” And the reason the Lord gives us these precious lessons is that we may derive hope and comfort from the Scriptures. As we enter the gate of the court, the first thing that meets our eye is the altar of shittim wood, overlaid with brass. (See Ex. 27:1–8.) This altar was used to offer up the whole burnt offerings, the peace offerings, the meat offerings, etc. The top of the altar was a square, and at each of the corners were horns. It was in use the year round, as it was here the offerings were slain. What did the altar signify, and what was associated with it? When a person committed a sin, whether ignorantly or knowingly, he was to bring an offering, as commanded by the Lord, to the door of the tabernacle, and on the head of this offering he was to confess his sins, and then he was to take the knife, and shed the blood. The offering was then laid upon the altar by the priest, and fire came down from God out of heaven, and accepted the offering. Before the individual could find any peace, he had to bring the animal, and it had to be slain. The man who performed this thus acknowledged himself to be a sinner. The first thing the sinner had to do before he could find peace and joy, was to bring the offering to the altar, and then he would receive the forgiveness of sins. But how was this accomplished?—By the sins of the man being transferred to the animal, and the life of the animal being taken. But the blood represents the life. Gen. 9:4; Deut. 12:23. Whose life? Says one, the life of the man. That is so; for the individual transferred his sins to the head of the beast. But man could not take away his own sin. Then it also represented the life of the spotless Lamb which was to take away the sins of the world. Thus the animals brought to this altar had a double meaning to every soul. When the life was taken, the blood was poured on the ground all around the altar. The people were warned many times not to eat the blood; they were to pour it out, and to cover it with the dust. Deut. 12:16, 24. Then the offering was placed upon the altar, and God showed his acceptance by the fire which came down from heaven and consumed it. What holy and sacred truths do these things teach us! We feel as tho we were now standing upon the “holy ground;” for it was he who gave his life freely for us, and was offered on God’s altar as the sacrifice for man. Even Abel realized when he was offering his lamb to the Lord, that it was none other than the “Lamb of God” to be slain, that could take away his sins, and give him peace and pardon. And how this same truth was impressed upon the mind of the prophet Isaiah when he saw him brought as a “lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Therefore John could well say, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”—even that Lamb which was foreordained from before the foundation of the world, but slain from the foundation of the world.199While he was offering himself up to God, often the fire of God’s love would be sent to earth, to show he was accepted, and the voice heard, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And he himself said, “I always do those things that please him.” He offered himself to the Lord upon the altar of service, and thus found the peace to his own heart, at the same time pouring out his blood, or the life, for the good of humanity, each step in the way. He used it not for himself; he did not eat the blood; but he poured it out as freely as one would water. “For he hath poured out his soul unto death.” But why have him, the sinless One, go through so much sorrow, suffering, affliction, and pain?—Because he gave himself for our sins, that he might be made sin for us, who knew no sin. And was this simply to make him suffer?—Nay, verily; but through the offering up of his life to God, he made it possible that we can offer up our lives to God. He shed his blood for our sins, that we might be made the righteousness of God through him, that we may be cleansed, and purified, and made acceptable to God. How true this is to the Christian! Paul tells us we have an altar. Heb. 13:10. But what was the use of the altar?—To offer up sacrifices. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1. What kind of sacrifices are these?—“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” What blessed and holy joy there is to the hungry soul who wishes the peace of God and the sweet forgiveness of sins, to come to the altar, and receive the pardon through the “blood of the Lamb which taketh away the sin of the world;” and then, having done this, to offer up himself unto the Lord upon the altar of God’s service, to be a blessing and benefit to humanity—not to appropriate the blood to himself, but to pour it out if need be, and cover it with the dust! O, what a privilege to be a co-worker with Jesus, a child of heaven! But how much of the offering must be given? Ah! is it not true that we sometimes want to keep back part of it, and think we can get along just as well with the Lord? The offering anciently was bound to the horns of the altar, and was not touched till all of it was consumed. Ps. 118:27. It is the whole life that is to be given, in order to be accepted. In order to receive all, we must give up all. “If any man will be my disciple, let him forsake all and follow me.” These are the words of Jesus. And what a blessed thought to know that God will accept the offering from all alike; for with him there is no respect of person—no difference between Jew and Gentile, free or bond, male or female. So we read: “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers; and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.” “Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you . . . because of the grace that is given to me of God, that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” Rom. 15:8, 9, 15, 16. Reader, have you not yet been to that altar? You can not think how much you have missed; you do not realize what great loss you have sustained. Then delay no longer, but accept the offering made for you, and give your life to God for the service of humanity. “To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” “And him that cometh to me I will in nowise cast out.”