Topical Bible: Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Altar

Bible > Topical > Under the Law Atonement

◄ Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Altar ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the Old Testament, the concept of atonement is central to the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. Atonement, in this context, refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity, achieved through the offering of sacrifices. One of the significant aspects of atonement under the Mosaic Law was the purification and consecration of the altar, which was essential for maintaining the sanctity of the place where sacrifices were offered.

Biblical Foundation

The altar, as described in the Pentateuch, was a sacred structure where offerings were made to God. It was crucial that the altar itself be consecrated and atoned for, to ensure that it was a fitting place for the sacrifices that symbolized the people's repentance and devotion. The Book of Exodus provides detailed instructions for the consecration of the altar. In Exodus 29:36-37 , God commands, "Sacrifice a bull each day as a sin offering to make atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it. For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy."

Purpose and Significance

The atonement for the altar served multiple purposes. Firstly, it was a means of purifying the altar from any defilement, ensuring that it was holy and acceptable to God. This purification was necessary because the altar was the focal point of the sacrificial system, where offerings were made to atone for the sins of the people. Secondly, the consecration of the altar symbolized the setting apart of this structure for divine service, emphasizing its role as a holy place where God and humanity could meet.

Ritual Process

The process of atoning for the altar involved specific rituals, as outlined in the Levitical code. Leviticus 8:15 describes the procedure: "Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood, and with his finger put it on all the horns of the altar to purify it. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it to make atonement for it." The use of blood in this ritual underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a sacrificial substitute to cleanse and sanctify.

Theological Implications

The atonement for the altar highlights the holiness of God and the need for purity in worship. It underscores the idea that sin creates a barrier between God and humanity, which must be addressed through divinely instituted means. The altar, as a place of atonement, points to the ultimate need for a perfect and final sacrifice, which Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:10 alludes to this fulfillment: "We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat."

In summary, the atonement offered for the altar under the Mosaic Law was a vital component of the sacrificial system, ensuring that the place of sacrifice was holy and acceptable to God. This practice not only facilitated the reconciliation between God and His people but also foreshadowed the ultimate atonement accomplished through Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 29:36,37
And you shall offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and you shall cleanse the altar, when you have made an atonement for it, and you shall anoint it, to sanctify it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 16:18,19
And he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar round about.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ Our High Priest.
... to come, has entered the holy place on high, with His own blood, to make atonement
for the ... The offerings made by the priests under the law pertained only ...
/.../xi christ our high priest.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... He has finished his atonement and perfected those he means to save; and if you believe
not in him, there remaineth no more ... Under the law there was no ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm

The Blood of the Covenant
... for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the ... its legitimate claim on us under
God's law, its awful ... redeemed out of our old natural life under the power ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter ix the blood of.htm

An Unalterable Law
... very soul of Jesus the sword of the law pierced, and ... his person, he was able to offer
an atonement to God ... of this: I would not disparage or under-estimate his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/an unalterable law.htm

Knowing that a Man is not Justified by the Work of the Law, but by ...
... now, he is not thrust back again under the law ... of law, for "by the deeds of the law
shall no ... But justifying faith consists in believing the atonement of Christ ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/knowing that a man is.htm

Fifth Sunday in Lent
... every year, was but a temporary and imperfect atonement; it did not eternally suffice,
as does the atonement of Christ. ... Under the old law, which provided ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday in lent.htm

Index.
... Merivale, Dean, Romans under the Empire, 96, 196. ... Salvation contrasted with law,
31. ... Satan, atonement not given to, 43; destruction of, 42; as tempter, 72. ...
/.../edwards/the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/index 2.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... in a worse condition under the gospel than the Jews were under the law? When they
had sinned they had their high priest to make atonement; and shall not we ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... He hears the story of the cross, the full atonement made by God's appointed sacrifice,
and ... To obey is better than sacrifice, is told us even under the law. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

The Covenant of Works
... make atonement for sin on the altar, to typify that our holiest services need Christ
to make an atonement for them ... If the leper, under the law, had touched ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the covenant of works.htm