What role does "purify the altar" play in maintaining holiness in worship? Setting the Stage - In Israel’s sacrificial system the altar stood at the center of worship. - Everything offered to God touched that altar first; therefore, its condition affected every act of devotion. Key Verse Exodus 29:36-37: “Each day you are to offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. You are to purify the altar when you make atonement for it; and you are to anoint it to consecrate it. For seven days you are to make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches the altar will be holy.” Why the Altar Needed Purification - Sin’s Defilement: Unclean hands could not approach a holy God (Isaiah 59:2). The altar, though made of earthly materials, had to be made fit for divine use. - Perpetual Use: Daily sacrifices meant daily contact with sin offerings (Leviticus 4), so cleansing had to be ongoing. - Representation: The altar symbolized God’s presence among the people; any impurity would misrepresent His flawless holiness (Habakkuk 1:13). What Purifying the Altar Accomplished 1. Removed Guilt • Blood placed on the altar’s horns “made atonement” for the sanctuary itself (Leviticus 8:15). 2. Restored Access • Once purified, the altar became “most holy,” inviting the worshiper to draw near without fear (Exodus 29:37). 3. Guarded the Community • Israel’s holiness was tethered to the purity of its worship center (Numbers 18:1). If the altar stood clean, the camp remained under blessing. 4. Foreshadowed Christ • Hebrews 9:13-14 links animal blood that “sanctifies for the cleansing of the flesh” to Christ’s blood that “will cleanse our consciences from dead works.” Implications for Worship Today - Christ Is Our Altar (Hebrews 13:10): His once-for-all sacrifice means believers continually enjoy a purified meeting place with God. - Ongoing Self-Examination: While the altar itself is now forever pure, worshipers still “cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit” (2 Corinthians 7:1). - Corporate Holiness: A congregation that tolerates sin defiles the “spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). Confession and discipline keep the modern altar—our collective worship—undefiled. Practical Takeaways - Approach God confident in Christ’s perfect cleansing, yet mindful of personal holiness. - Keep short accounts with sin; regular confession reflects the daily altar purifications of old. - Guard the purity of corporate worship by upholding biblical standards in teaching, music, and fellowship. |
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