What role does the altar play in the sacrificial system of Leviticus 4:7? Focus Verse “The priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. He shall pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.” Key Observations • Two altars appear: – The altar of fragrant incense (inside the Holy Place) – The altar of burnt offering (outside, in the courtyard) • Blood is applied in two ways: – On the horns of the incense altar (symbol of intercession) – Poured out at the base of the burnt offering altar (symbol of atonement) Function of the Altar in Leviticus 4:7 1. Place of Substitution • The animal’s life-blood substitutes for the sinner’s life (cf. Leviticus 17:11). • The altar receives the blood, affirming that sin’s penalty—death—has been met. 2. Meeting Point Between God and Sinners • “Before the LORD” underscores that the altar bridges heaven and earth (Exodus 29:42-43). • By divine design, forgiveness happens where God says it happens—at His altar. 3. Channel of Intercession • Blood on the incense altar’s horns connects sacrifice with prayer (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4). • The horns—projecting power—declare that atonement empowers prayer to rise acceptably. 4. Public Testimony of Cleansing • Blood poured at the base of the burnt offering altar is visible to all worshipers. • The community witnesses that sin is dealt with, promoting corporate holiness (Leviticus 19:2). Spiritual Significance • Holiness of God: The altar emphasizes that sin cannot be ignored; it must be satisfied by blood (Hebrews 9:22). • Mercy Through Covenant: God provides the altar and the means of sacrifice, highlighting His gracious initiative (Leviticus 1:1-2). • Foreshadowing Christ: The ultimate altar is the cross, where Jesus “suffered outside the city gate” (Hebrews 13:10-12). His blood fulfills all that Leviticus prefigured. Connections to the Greater Biblical Narrative • Exodus 29:37 – Seven-day consecration shows the altar itself had to be purified before it could purify others. • Numbers 15:25 – Priests making atonement at the altar secure forgiveness for the whole assembly. • Isaiah 6:6-7 – A coal from the heavenly altar touches Isaiah’s lips, cleansing him. Earthly altars mirror this heavenly reality. • Hebrews 8:5 – Earthly sanctuary and its altar are “a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.” • Revelation 6:9 – Souls under the heavenly altar cry for justice, showing the altar’s ongoing relevance in God’s plan. Takeaways for Today • Sin still demands a sacrifice; Jesus is that once-for-all offering (1 Peter 3:18). • Prayer gains bold access because Christ’s blood adorns the true altar (Hebrews 4:14-16). • Worship remains centered on substitutionary atonement; any approach to God apart from the blood is futile (John 14:6). • Community holiness is nurtured when believers gather at the “altar” of Christ’s finished work, confessing sin and celebrating forgiveness (1 John 1:7). |
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