While sacrifice is a theme in Leviticus, what is needed for a sacrifice was an altar. While altars are not necessarily specific for the sacrifices made to God, it is interesting that God made certain specifications about the altars used in worship to Him. Here in Leviticus God again takes what mankind has altered for his own concept and re-establishes His original intent. After all, God make the first sacrifice to clothe Adam and Eve (Gn 3:21) and instituted the idea of sacrifice in worship to Him (Gn 4:3-4). So, the idea of sacrifice and how to worship was not a man-made idea. In Leviticus, God was setting the requirements of how to worship Him. We never approach God out of how we think it should be done. God sets the standard for everything and sets the requirements to be met to worship Him.
An altar was an important part of worship and sacrifice. They were used in both private or family worship (Gn 31:54; 46:1), or for congregational worship (Lv 1-5). God allowed altars of diverse types for specific types of worship. Yet, He was the one who set the standard for worship and not those giving the worship. Based upon archeological finds and Scripture, the following were types used in worship of God: a rectangular raised altar of earth, sod, or clay (Ex 20:24), a rectangular altar of non-hewn stone (Ex 20:25), a nearby stone of the right size and shape (Jd 6:20; 13:19). In these instances, steps were not to be used (Ex 20:26).
For congregational worship, altars were also used. The altar of bronze (acacia wood overlaid with bronze) for the Tabernacle which Moses had built was made as specified by God Himself (Ex 27:1-8). This particular one was 7.5 feet square and 4.5 feet high (Ex 27:1). As time went on and more permanent structures were erected in worship to God, these altars also got more elaborate. When King Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, this altar was made of solid bronze and its dimensions were 30 feet square and 15 feet high (2Ch 4:1). This altar therefore needed a ramp to reach its top, since steps were forbidden (Ex 20:26). The size of this altar when the temple was re-built after the Jews returned from Babylonian captivity (Er 3:2), or when Herod upgraded this temple, is unknown.
The next temple specified was that of Ezekiel’s vision (Ek 40). In this temple, which is thought to be the one which will be erected when Christ returns to set up His kingdom, the size of the altar was specified: 18 feet square and 16.5 feet high (Ek 43:13-17). This altar will have steps (Ek 13:17). The reason steps are now allowed is unclear, but it may be because there will be no other worship of any god except at this temple in the worship of the One True God.
It is also interesting to note that the size and grandeur of these temples increased over time as well. The original tabernacle was about one-fourth the size of our football field today. Solomon’s temple was about two-thirds the size. Herod’s temple was about three times the size, and Ezekiel’s temple will be approximately 12 times the size of our football field.
The main point here is that we worship God the way God prescribes and not to our own understanding. Are you trying to worship Him on your terms and your understanding? Get on His side. You’ll be much happier. He sets the standard for us to obey. He has always done that and will do that as we go into eternity with Him. Praise be to Him!
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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens