Exodus 27

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Bronze Altar and "the Way of Worship"

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Bronze Altar pictures the Cross of Christ.

  2. The Tabernacle courtyard pictures the way of worship.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s keep our lamps trim.

QUESTIONS

  1. Where did Moses receive these instructions concerning the Tabernacle?

  2. Review the instructions given for the Tabernacle in Exodus 25-27.

  3. What is the difference between brass and bronze?

  4. Why was the Altar so large?

  5. How does the layout of the Tabernacle with its courtyard picture the way of approach to worship God?

ANSWERS

  1. Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights receiving the Ten Commandments and other instructions from God, including the details of the Tabernacle.

  2. Exodus 25- Furnishings of the Tabernacle Exodus 26- Construction of the Tabernacle Exodus 27- Courtyard around the Tabernacle

  3. Brass and bronze are both copper alloys. Most likely the Altar was of bronze, since it was continually hot with fire.

  4. Because some large animals, such as oxen, were sacrificed on the Altar.

  5. There was only one opening into the courtyard by which to approach the Tabernacle. This opening represents Christ, who is the only divinely appointed way to God. Coming into the courtyard, one had to pass by the Bronze Altar (which represents the Cross of Christ) and the Bronze Laver (which represents cleansing from sin), before coming to the Holy of Holies into God’s presence.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. All of the animal sacrifices pointed forward to the one great sacrifice to come. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Discuss what you know about the sacrifices, and how they teach us about the Person and Work of Christ.

  2. Review the spiritual picture of the Tabernacle courtyard and the way of worship. The world tells us that there are many ways to God. Is this mindset compatible with what is taught in Scripture?

CHALLENGE

  1. The priests had to continually trim the lamps of the Lampstand so the lamps would burn brightly. We are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16) are you keeping your light shining brightly?

KEY VERSES

  • “And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.” Exodus 27:20-21

Exodus, Old Testament, TalksRon ReidEXODUS 27