Despite the emphasis in Exodus on the Tabernacle itself, the first thing anyone would notice when they walked through the gate and into the courtyard area was the presence of the brazen altar.
At 7.5 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.5 feet tall with poles protruding out of each side (Exodus 27:1-2), its presence would have been unmistakeable. The whole courtyard was much larger, but it was also more of a rectangle (150’x75’ according to Exodus 27:18). The Tabernacle occupied less than ten percent of the courtyard area, which left a ton of real estate in the front of the courtyard unoccupied.
That area though, would arguably be the busiest place in the entire camp. Alongside the enormous bronze altar would have been dozens of priests scurrying about, tending to the ongoing work of sacrifices. Some would have been tending the fire, others removing ashes, while still more slaughtering animals and placing them on the altar.
It was a messy, bloody, chaotic work, but one that was absolutely necessary to maintain purity amongst God’s people. The sheer amount of blood and noise emanating from this area at virtually all hours of the day would’ve been deafening.
At the institution of the brazen altar (or the Altar of burnt offerings (Exodus 30:28), or the Altar of God (Psalm 43:4), or the Altar of the Lord (Malachi 2:13), as the bronze altar is also called), a dramatic scene unfolded. After Aaron offered the animals for himself and for the people, fire came from Heaven and consumed the sacrifice (Leviticus 9:22-24). It’s a scene reminiscent of Elijah on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-40).
This bronze altar was also sacred—so much so that “whoever touches it shall be holy” (Exodus 29:37).
There is some debate as to what this phrase means, though. Some argue that the sacrifices become holy once they’re placed on it, while others claim it means that only those who have been consecrated can touch it.
Both can be true, though. According to Leviticus 6:13, the altar needed to be constantly aflame, most likely to symbolize the ever-present need for sacrifices and forgiveness. Assuming the priests followed the Law, the sacrifices placed on the altar were of God’s design and achieved God’s purpose because they were given to Him.
But it’s also a testament to the fact that only priests could offer them in the first place. Sure, that’s because God chose the Levites, but it’s also because they were consecrated. An impure priest from Levi is just as bad as a “pure” member of any other tribe. Both had to be in place for the sacrifice to be legitimate.
We don’t need this altar anymore because our prayers and our lives are sacrificial enough (or should be). Instead of asking God’s forgiveness only when we drag an animal to the Tabernacle, we should do it often when we go to Him in prayer. Just like the priests though, our prayers must come from a pure place, diligently seeking God and His righteousness first.
