THE ALTAR

THE ALTAR:

Blind fools! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?

-Matthew 23:19

If you do a quick search on the word altar (Strong’s 4196 - miz-bay'-akh) using one of the free online Bible study sites (biblegateway.com and biblehub.com are a couple of my favorites) you might see some really cool stuff…

First off, it may be a little surprising to note just how far into the Bible story the word altar shows up, which is not until Genesis 8:20. There is no mention of an altar in Eden. Prior to Genesis 3 sin had not yet corrupted things. Without sin it seems logical there would be no need of an atoning, reconciling, redeeming, uniting, propitiating sacrifice; therefore no need or function for an altar. But from the time of humanity’s gracious expulsion from Eden’s garden until the time of Noah in Genesis 8:20 - no miz-bay'-akh / altar is mentioned explicitly.

In Genesis 4:4-5a we read,

and Abel, however, brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering - He had no regard…

Should we find the absence of an altar odd? Some have made feeble attempts to argue Cain’s inherent failure was in providing a grain offering whereas Abel’s acceptance was rooted in his offering being of the zoological variety. Clearly, the cardinal issue is not what they brought, nor is it even the inherent attitude or the condition of their hearts in the bringing. Instead, the critical pith, forgotten crux, and unseen treasure here is the glorious fact they could bring anything at all.

Adam and Eve were BANISHED from God’s presence in Eden because of their rebellion. Yet somehow their offspring (Cain and Abel) - at some point - were either able to waltz past multiple angelic beings (cherubim), and the flaming sword/swordsman (Gen 3:24), directly into Eden, and into the presence of the Tree of Life, viz. God Almighty -OR- God Almighty left Eden to pursue them.

It seems even prior to Jesus’ incarnation the atoning, reconciling, redeeming, uniting, and propitiating impact of His gracious sacrifice at the Cross was somehow made available to fallen humanity. Jesus was our altar before He was our sacrifice.

…the Lamb, having been slain from the founding of the cosmos.

-Revelation 13:8b

Abel found favor with God - NOT because of what he brought, but because of how he brought it, i.e. because of the regenerate condition of his new heart made available -prior to the foundation of the cosmos- in Christ Jesus!

Abel demonstrates the first human reconciled with God by grace through faith. Consequently, Abel also became the first martyr of suffering for the faith in being murdered by his brother, Cain.

Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

-Genesis 4:16

There was no physical (miz-bay'-akh) altar in the story of Cain and Abel. More importantly, we see the explicit and essential function of it, i.e. that which serves to sanctify the gift (Matt 23:19).

When Genesis 6 begins we read:

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

-Genesis 6:5-6

Following the great flood of judgment upon humanity we read about the first physical miz-bay'-akh / altar:

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

-Genesis 8:20

The point here is that Noah constructed, erected, and synthetically manufactured something that served a symbolic function of what God had already made reality in Christ Jesus, i.e. graciously allowing Abel and Noah to enter into the presence of God and not what they brought, but rather how they brought it, to be received as a fragrant and pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Sadly, the wickedness of man can neither be quelled nor purged externally - not even via a universally consuming deluge. Noah’s well-intentioned symbol of thankfulness quickly became a symbol of humanity’s turpitude and scoundrelism. Our initial search of miz-bay'-akh / altar reveals countless acts of idolatry and rebellion throughout the Old Testament.

In Joshua the Eastern Tribes constructed their own altar, and throughout the books of Kings, Chronicles, and beyond there are innumerable accounts of altars built to false gods.

Beyond the obvious disregard for God, idolatry’s great atrocity is one of enthusiastic lassitude. God promised Eve a male offspring who would crush the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15). The promise was evident in God’s blessing to Abram (Gen 12:3). Eventually, that covenant blessing would come through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob/Israel, and Judah, to David's house (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

Therefore, when we read that Ahaz (Israel’s King and David’s descendant) sacrificed his own son upon an altar to a foreign god (a son who was not only of infinite value to God as a uniquely created divine image-bearer but who also quite possibly might have been humanity’s promised Messiah) God unleashed holy wrath and issued the virgin birth prophecy (Isaiah 7:14).

The tophet-altar created to worship foreign gods was frequently hollow so it could be filled with flammable materials. Sometimes it was shaped like an animal or figure with outstretched hands. Only after the tophet-altar became scorching hot would an infant or child be placed on its hands. Babies and small children were frequently burned alive to appease non-existent gods.

(Ahaz) followed the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, engaging in the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

-2 Kings 16:3

Prior to the founding of the cosmos (and prior to the first symbolic altar) the Lamb, the Christ, Jesus was slain in order to serve us as the perfect altar, i.e. that which makes our presence and offerings pleasing and acceptable to God. Without the true and perfect altar -Jesus- we are left with no way past the cherubim, no way back to the Tree of Life, no way back into the life-giving presence of God Almighty, and no way to ever please Him.

The altar is not merely a place, but rather a person, i.e. Jesus Christ. God lets us know through Scripture that there is only one altar because it foreshadowed and anticipated the one Jesus. It foreshadowed Him as the exclusive way, the only truth, and sole life for humanity’s atonement, reconciliation, redemption, and unity with God.

Maybe today we can reflect not so much on what we bring, and maybe not even so much on how we bring it, but rather on the overwhelmingly gracious fact that we can! Because of Jesus Christ, the Lamb slain from the founding of the cosmos, we are able to waltz - literally dance joyfully - past an army of cherubim directly into the presence of God as fully consumed burnt offerings, holy, pleasing and acceptable in Christ Jesus!

And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,

  to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,

  and to be his servants,

everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it,

  and holds fast my covenant—

these I will bring to my holy mountain,

  and make them joyful in my house of prayer;

their burnt offerings and their sacrifices

  will be accepted on my altar;

for my house shall be called a house of prayer

  for all peoples.

-Isaiah 56:6-7

Let us join ourselves to Him. Let us serve Him. Let us love His name! Let us listen to Christ, Who is calling, and not be blind fools! Maybe today we can focus on Jesus Christ who, as the unique God-man and simultaneously our holy altar and perfect sacrifice, is restoring all things, making all things new, and the only One who desire for us to come to Him, the Altar, and bring it!

Jesus is calling.

CLICK HERE to hear Elevation Worship's song "O Come to The Altar."

Blessings!

-Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com