Exodus 27 describes the items in the court of the Tabernacle (i.e. outside of the holy place). Exodus 27:1-8 describes the altar of burnt offering. This is where believers bring their sacrifices to the priests to be offered to God.

1.  The purpose of the altar

Before the ceremonial law was given by God and written by Moses, the altar was already in use (eg: Gen 4:3-4, 8:20, 22:9, etc). The root word for “altar” (in Heb, Exod 27:1) carries the meaning of to kill or slaughter, and to offer something up. It is a place of offering and sacrifice to God. Believers can come before God only through the shedding of blood, which fulfils the justice of God. This brings about an atonement and reconciliation between sinner and God, and thus forgiveness of sins. The sacrifices placed on the altar must always be done by faith.

2.  The practice of the altar

One unique thing about the altar of burnt offering is that the fire on the altar is never to be snuffed out (Lev 6:9,12-13). This fire was first started by the LORD (Lev 9:24), and it must never be put out. It is for the people to see and understand that a consecrated life is not only at the moment of offering on the altar, but we are to live our lives continuously as an offering to God.

Another practice concerns the “horns” of the altar (Exod 27:2). The word “horns” is used five other times in the Bible, in association with places of refuge (eg: Ps 118). People who want to find mercy can run to these horns. This refuge comes through the sacrifices that are offered and accepted by the LORD.

There are five different types of sacrifices: three are freewill offerings and two are mandatory offerings. The freewill offerings are: the burnt offering (atonement), the meat offering (thanksgiving) and the peace offering (thanksgiving and fellowship). The mandatory offerings are: the sin offering (atonement) and the trespass offering (restitution). The people are to participate deliberately and mindfully. They are to be thankful as they are restored to God.

3.  The Person of the altar (Heb 13:10,12)

The Person of the altar is Jesus Christ. He is our Priest, our Sacrifice, and our Altar where the sacrifice was laid on. He is our complete, once-for-all Sacrifice. In Him we are consecrated and sanctified. Thus, our lives are no longer our own, our lives belong to Him, and we must live our entire lives for Him.