The bronze altar was the biggest of all the furniture at the tabernacle (v1; 5 cubits by five cubits was 7 ½ feet by 7 ½ feet). The altar was also the first thing you met when you entered the outer court of the tabernacle.

All of this was to emphasise that God could only be approached and worshipped through a sacrifice for sin.

Being made of bronze as opposed to the gold of lampstand etc. speaks of how this was about unpleasant sacrifice. Glory can only be reached through the suffering of Christ.

The altar would have four horns on each corner (v2) which were symbols of strength, salvation and security in the Old Testament. This points to how the place of strength, salvation and security is at the ultimate place of sacrifice at the cross of Christ.

Take time to think again of the cross of Christ as your only hope and only way of approaching holy God.

The rings and poles (v5-7) speak of how the altar was to be carried with the people. The sacrifice for sin was always to be before them. We too must never lose sight of the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice for sin.