The "Altar of the LORD" is a significant element in biblical worship and religious practice, serving as a sacred place where offerings and sacrifices are made to God. Throughout the Bible, altars are depicted as places of divine encounter, covenant, and atonement, reflecting the centrality of worship in the life of God's people.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, altars are first mentioned in the context of the patriarchs. Noah built an altar to the LORD after the flood and offered burnt offerings on it (Genesis 8:20). Similarly, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob constructed altars as acts of worship and as markers of divine encounters (Genesis 12:7-8; 26:25; 35:1-7).

The most detailed instructions for altar construction are found in the Mosaic Law. The altar of burnt offering, also known as the brazen altar, was a central feature of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It was made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze and was used for burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings (Exodus 27:1-8; Leviticus 1-7). The altar was a place of atonement, where the blood of sacrifices was sprinkled to cover the sins of the people.

The altar of incense, located inside the Holy Place, was used for burning incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God (Exodus 30:1-10). This altar was overlaid with gold, reflecting its sacred purpose and proximity to the Holy of Holies.

Significance in Worship

The altar of the LORD was not merely a physical structure but a symbol of God's presence and the means by which the Israelites could approach Him. It was a place of covenant renewal, as seen in Joshua's altar on Mount Ebal, where the law was read, and the people reaffirmed their commitment to God (Joshua 8:30-35).

Prophets often called the people back to the true worship of the LORD, which included the proper use of altars. Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel involved the repair of the LORD's altar, signifying a return to genuine worship and the rejection of idolatry (1 Kings 18:30-39).

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the concept of the altar is transformed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The sacrificial system, with its altars and offerings, finds its fulfillment in the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Hebrews 13:10-12 speaks of an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat, pointing to the new covenant established through Jesus' sacrifice.

The altar imagery continues in the book of Revelation, where the heavenly altar is depicted as a place of worship and divine judgment (Revelation 6:9; 8:3-5). This reflects the ongoing significance of the altar as a symbol of God's holiness and the believer's access to Him through Christ.

Theological Implications

The altar of the LORD underscores the necessity of atonement and the seriousness of sin. It highlights God's provision for reconciliation and the importance of obedience in worship. The transition from the physical altars of the Old Testament to the spiritual realities of the New Testament emphasizes the fulfillment of the law in Christ and the believer's direct access to God through faith.

In summary, the altar of the LORD is a profound biblical symbol of worship, sacrifice, and divine encounter, pointing ultimately to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the believer's relationship with God.