What other Scriptures emphasize the importance of building altars to God? Scripture Foundation – 1 Chronicles 21:28 “At that time David, seeing that the LORD had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, sacrificed there.” Altars from the Dawn of History – First Responses of Worship • Genesis 8:20 – “Then Noah built an altar to the LORD…” after the flood, marking deliverance and gratitude. • Genesis 12:7-8 – Abram builds two successive altars when God promises the land and offspring. • Genesis 22:9 – On Mount Moriah Abraham lays Isaac on an altar, demonstrating obedient faith. Altars and the Patriarchal Heritage – Covenant Markers • Genesis 26:25 – Isaac builds an altar at Beersheba when the LORD reaffirms the oath sworn to Abraham. • Genesis 33:20 – Jacob erects an altar in Shechem and names it El-Elohe-Israel, declaring God’s ownership over his household. Altars by Direct Command – God-Initiated Worship • Exodus 20:24 – “You are to make an altar of earth for Me…” establishing sacrifice as the center of Israel’s corporate worship. • Exodus 24:4 – Moses builds an altar and twelve pillars, sealing the Sinai covenant with blood. • 1 Chronicles 21:18 (the backdrop to v. 28) – Gad orders David, “Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.” Altars in Warfare and Crisis – Remembrance and Victory • Exodus 17:15 – After victory over Amalek, Moses builds “The LORD Is My Banner.” • Joshua 8:30-31 – Joshua erects an altar on Mount Ebal precisely as Moses had written, renewing commitment before fighting the remaining Canaanites. • Judges 6:24 – Gideon, gripped by fear, builds an altar and calls it “The LORD Is Peace,” launching deliverance from Midian. Altars and Covenant Renewal – Keeping Hearts Aligned • Joshua 24:25-27 – Though not named an altar, the great stone of witness functions as a covenant memorial beside the sanctuary. • Ezra 3:2-3 – Returning exiles rebuild “the altar of the God of Israel” before the temple itself, prioritizing restored fellowship with God. Altars Repaired and Restored – Revival Moments • 1 Kings 18:30 – Elijah “repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down,” and fire from heaven turned hearts back. • 2 Samuel 24:25 (parallel to 1 Chronicles 21) – David builds an altar on the same threshing floor; the plague is halted. Why Scripture Repeats the Theme of Altars • They proclaim that access to God demands blood atonement (anticipating the cross). • They mark decisive encounters—moments when God’s people choose obedience over convenience. • They stand as public testimonies, inviting future generations to remember the works of the LORD. • They create spaces where gratitude, repentance, and renewed covenant meet in tangible action. Living the Pattern Today The physical altars of Scripture point forward to the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 13:10-12). Yet the pattern remains: each fresh deliverance, each new revelation, each act of mercy calls for a concrete response of worship and surrender. Just as David saw the plague stop and hurried to sacrifice, every believer is invited to “build”—to mark God’s interventions with deliberate, grateful devotion. |
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