THE TABERNACLE
The Bronze Altar · Dr. Chris Montgomery · March 2, 2025
Exodus 27:1-8; Hebrews 8:1-6
(Exodus 25:8) And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.
(Deuteronomy 29:5) I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet.
(Exodus 25:9) Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.
What was the tabernacle’s ultimate purpose?
(Hebrews 8:1-6) Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
Sketch by Marc Johnson
The Bronze Altar
1. Acacia Wood: Strength Comes in Adversity
2. Bronze: The Protection of God
3. Poles: The Cross of Christ
4. Horns: Power Comes Through Sacrifice
(Leviticus 17:11) For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
(Hebrews 9:11-14) But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
(Hebrew 9:16-18) 16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.
(Genesis 3:21) And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.
(Hebrews 9:12) He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
(Ephesians 1:7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…