The term "My Altar" refers to the sacred place designated by God for worship, sacrifice, and communion with Him. Throughout the Bible, altars serve as significant sites where individuals and communities encounter God, offer sacrifices, and commemorate divine interventions. The concept of "My Altar" underscores the personal and covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, altars are central to the worship practices of the Israelites. The first mention of an altar is found in Genesis 8:20, where Noah builds an altar to the Lord after the flood. This act of worship and thanksgiving sets a precedent for future generations. God commands the construction of altars as places of sacrifice and worship, as seen in Exodus 20:24: "You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you."

The Tabernacle, and later the Temple, housed the most significant altars in Israelite worship. The altar of burnt offering, located in the Tabernacle's courtyard, was where priests offered sacrifices for atonement and thanksgiving (Exodus 27:1-8). The altar of incense, situated inside the Holy Place, symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God (Exodus 30:1-10).

Covenantal Significance

"My Altar" is not merely a physical structure but a representation of God's covenant with His people. In Deuteronomy 12:5-6, God instructs the Israelites to seek the place He chooses for His name to dwell and to bring their offerings there. This centralization of worship emphasizes the unity of the nation under God's covenant and the importance of obedience to His commands.

The altar also serves as a place of divine encounter and revelation. In Judges 6:24, Gideon builds an altar to the Lord and names it "The LORD Is Peace" after receiving assurance of God's presence and peace. Similarly, in 1 Kings 18, Elijah repairs the altar of the Lord on Mount Carmel, calling the people back to covenant faithfulness and demonstrating God's power over false gods.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the concept of "My Altar" finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:10 states, "We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat." This verse highlights the superiority of Christ's sacrifice over the Old Testament sacrificial system. Jesus, as the ultimate High Priest, offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice, rendering the physical altars of the Old Covenant obsolete.

Believers are called to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5). The altar, therefore, becomes a metaphor for the believer's heart, where true worship and communion with God occur. Romans 12:1 exhorts Christians to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as an act of spiritual worship.

Symbolism and Application

"My Altar" symbolizes the believer's dedication and surrender to God. It is a place of repentance, worship, and renewal. The altar calls for a response of faith and obedience, as seen in the lives of biblical figures who encountered God at these sacred sites.

In contemporary Christian practice, the altar remains a powerful symbol of God's presence and the believer's commitment to Him. Whether in personal devotion or corporate worship, the altar represents a place of meeting with God, where His grace and mercy are experienced anew.